RESUMEN
The goal of this study was to compare depression and quality of life in three auto immune diseases: psoriasis, vitiligo, and alopecia areata. From January 2009 until January 2010, 300 patients [100 with alopecia areata, 100 with psoriasis and 100 with vitiligo] who were randomly selected [by simple random selection] from outpatient clinic of Razi Hospital [Center of Skin Diseases of Tehran University of Medical Sciences] were asked to answer to Beck Depression Inventory [BDI], SF-36 and Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI] questionnaires. DLQI scores were significantly higher in psoriasis cases than others [12.8 +/- 6.1, P<0.0001] and SF-36 score were significantly lower [59.8 +/- 19.5, P=0.007], both indicating poor quality of life. Significant correlation was found between DLQI and BDI in all disease groups [r=0.44, P<0.001]. BDI scores were the highest in psoriasis group but this difference was not significant [P=0.2]. Based on these results, dermatologists should consider psychological aspects of autoimmune skin diseases.
RESUMEN
Vitiligo is a chronic skin disease which is characterized by depigmented patches due to loss of melanocytes. On contrary of low physical impairment, vitiligo causes a lot of cosmetic problems which can lead to psychological problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life and depression in Iranian patients with vitiligo, who were referred to Razi Hospital in 2009 and 2010. From January 2009 until January 2010 one hundred vitiligo patients were randomly selected from outpatient clinic of Razi Hospital and asked to answer to the following valid and reliable instruments Beck Depression Inventory [BDI], SF-36 and Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI]. The mean age +/- standard deviation of the participants was 28.9 +/- 11.5 years and mean scores of BDI, SF-36 and DLQI of all patients were 15.9 +/- 11.8, 63.8 +/- 19.4 and 8.4 +/- 6.9 respectively. There was a significant relationship between DLQI scores and the duration of the disease [r=0.3, P<0.001] while there was no significant relationship between DLQI scores and age [r-0.1, P-0.2]. Evaluation of quality of life and depression in patients with vitiligo and consequences of the disease on patients' lives should be considered