Impact of Acne Vulgaris and Vitiligo on Quality of Life and Self-Esteem in the Patient Population of Madinah, Saudi Arabia

TL;DR

This study shows that acne and vitiligo significantly lower self-esteem and quality of life for patients in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Contribution

The study provides region-specific insights into the psychological impact of acne and vitiligo in Saudi Arabia.

Findings

Acne patients had a mean self-esteem score of 20.3, with 46.8% having high self-esteem and 5% having low self-esteem.

Vitiligo patients had a mean self-esteem score of 13.7, with 63.3% having low self-esteem.

Vitiligo had a more severe impact on quality of life, with 66.7% reporting a severe effect.

Abstract

Background: Acne vulgaris and vitiligo are skin disorders that can have a negative impact on a person's self-esteem and quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this study is to look into the impact of acne and vitiligo on the self-esteem and QoL of the patient population in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 171 Saudi adults (141 individuals with acne vulgaris (9.4%) and 30 with vitiligo (1.5%) between the ages of 16 and 35 was conducted in Madinah. A self-reported questionnaire with four domains was used: socio-demographic data, lifestyle and coexisting pathologic factors or diseases, Rosenberg's self-esteem scale, and the dermatology life quality index (DLQI).

Results: Acne patients had a mean total score of 20.3 on the self-esteem scale, with 5% (n = 7) having low self-esteem, 48.2% (n = 68) having medium self-esteem, and 46.8% (n = 66) having high self-esteem. Females had higher self-esteem (75.29) than males (56.95). The mean DLQI score for acne patients was 5.4, with 30.5% (n = 47) unaffected, 29.1% (n = 45) mildly affected, 23.4% (n = 35) moderately affected, 5.6% (n = 10) severely affected, and 1.4% (n = 4) severely affected. Vitiligo patients had a mean self-esteem scale score of 13.7, with 63.3% (n = 19) having low self-esteem, 30% (n = 9) having medium self-esteem, and 6.7% (n = 2) having high self-esteem. The mean DLQI was 15.2, with 6.7% (n = 2) reporting that vitiligo had no effect on their lives, 10% (n = 3) reporting a moderate effect, 66.7% (n = 20) reporting a severe effect, and 16.7% (n = 5) reporting a very severe effect.

Conclusions: Our research confirms that acne vulgaris and vitiligo have a negative impact on self-esteem and quality of life. Along with medical treatment, effective treatment and psychological improvement of the patient should be prioritized.

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