Vitiligo Severity, Quality of Life, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Among Patients in Upper Egypt

Vitiligo is a common disorder of depigmentation caused by the progressive destruction of melanocytes that affect the skin, hair and mucous membranes, clinically presenting as depigmented macules and leukotrichia.

Vitiligo was historically regarded as a cosmetic disorder; however, it is an immune disease as it affects patient well-being . It affects approximately 0.5-1% of the global population. A Study reported a prevalence of 1.2% in the Egyptian population.

Vitiligo is asymptomatic disease, so its effect on quality of life is much more related to psychological problems, such as lack of self-confidence unpleasant body images unsuccessful social relationships, and lower quality of marital relations, than the exclusive physical issues. It has been shown that patients with vitiligo are at risk of higher social discrimination and stigma Lesions that are more severe, on the face, or covering a greater BSA are more often associated with poorer outcomes and activity impairment.

Recently a study conducted in Egypt in 2023 noted that more than half of studied sample had low level of self-esteem and quality of life. While more than half of studied sample had moderate negative body image. Also, half of studied sample had moderate level of social problems .

limited studies have been conducted in Upper Egypt which assess life quality of patients with vitiligo and but those Studies employed non-specific tools like Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).