Is there an association of melasma and anaemia?

ABSTRACT

Melasma is a very frequent cause of facial pigmentation, particularly in women and some men in our race. Little is known about the etiology of melasma, though there are a few known aggravating factors. To find out about the presence of anaemia [as is a common myth in this society] in melasma patients, this randomized control study is being undertaken. Thirty patients [29 F and 1M], presenting with clinical evidence of melasma and 30 [29 F and IM], age/sex matched controls [with minor dermatological disorders] were included from the out patients. A detailed history, thorough clinical examination and a full hematological assessment was done on all the subjects. Ten female patients and nine female controls, [no males] were found to have associated anaemia [Hg less than 11.0 G%]. No statistical difference found [P = NS], using student's t test. Thus melasma sufferers do not have a higher incidence of anaemia and their hematological status does not seem to be contributory to the expression of hypermelanosis