ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND@#Melasma is an acquired hyperpigmentary disorder occurring in the sun-exposed areas of the face and neck. There is little information on its prevalence, epidemiology and clinical characteristics in the Philippines.@*OBJECTIVE@#To determine the prevalence, epidemiology and clinical characteristics of melasma in Philippine dermatology patients@*METHODS@#This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study conducted from July to December 2013. The investigators determined the prevalence of melasma in 12,068 dermatology patients from 6 government hospitals and private centers in Metro Manila, Philippines. The melasma patients, aged 18 years and above were examined and given self-administered questionnaires to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of their melasma.@*RESULTS@#Of the 12,068 dermatology patients who were seen at the selected hospitals and private centers, 153 (1.26%) were clinically diagnosed with melasma. Majority of the melasma patients were Filipinos (73.20%), aged 41-50 years old (37.91%), with an average age of 42.40 + 9.68 years, and Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV (29.41% and 57.52%, respectively). Melasma was more prevalent in females (81.70%), wherein majority had a prior history of pregnancy (76.8% of the females). Oral contraceptive use was also reported in 37.6% of the female patients and 63.83% of those who have used OCP, have used it for only 1 year or less. Majority had no thyroid disease (75.16%) and daily sun exposure was limited to 1 hr or less for most patients (43.14%). Their melasma was mostly malar in distribution (60.13%), epidermal (61.44%), and mild (51.63%) to moderate (27.45%) in severity. The average mMASI score was 4.63 + 3.32.@*CONCLUSION@#Prevalence of melasma was low among the Philippine dermatology patients sampled. Majority of the melasma patients were Filipinos, aged 41-50 years old, with Fitzpatrick skin type IV, limited sun exposure and no thyroid disease. They were mostly females, with a prior history of pregnancy. Their melasma was mostly malar, epidermal, and mild in severity. These descriptive data can serve as baseline information for further studies on melasma in the Philippines.