[Prevalence of depression in vitiligo patients]

ABSTRACT

Vitiligo is a acquired skin disease with prevalence of 1% in the community. In spite of existing different options in its treatment, commonly the course is progressive and the prognosis is unpredictable. In our community with a negative attitude of people to the disease, great burdens of social and familial problems are caused to the patient and these may bring about Psychological disorders. The object of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and severity of depression in vitiligo patients and comparison with normal population according to Hamilton Rating Score for Depression. This is a cross-sectional descriptive Analytical study. 52 vitiligo patients presenting to dermatology clinic of Imam Reza Hospital agreed to participate in this study. The dissemination and extent of their skin disease was determined and their demographic identification recorded. Then, the 24 item questionnaire of HRSD completed. The same was performed for the control group, which were healthy in general and dermatology examination and the same as examination group in demographic identification. In the vitiligo patient group 24 patients [46.2%] and in the control group 3 [5.8%] were depressed. Mean depression score in the vitiligo patients was 17.48 and in the control 5.6. 7.6% of vitiligo patients had a history of suicidal attempt. Also, in vitiligo patients no significant statistical relationship was found between depression score and age, sex, marital state, extent of skin involvement with vitiligo, expose or non-expose skin lesions, and history of consullation with psychiatrist [P> 0.05]. High prevalence of depression in these patients is indicator of an insistent need to collaboration of psychiatrists with dermatologists in the management of this disease