Vitiligo Severity, Quality of Life, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment

Vitiligo Severity, Quality of Life, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Among Patients in Upper Egypt

translate and validate the vitiligo specific quality of life (VITIQOL) questionnaire to Arabic language.

evaluate the effect of vitiligo on patient quality of life using vitiligo specific quality of life questionnaire (VitiQoL).

measure the impact of vitiligo on work productivity using work productivity and activity impairment questionnaire (WPAI) and general self efficacy scale (GSE) .

analyze how disease severity and location influence patients quality of life and work pro

Vitiligo is a common disorder of depigmentation caused by the progressive destruction of melanocytes that affect the skin, hair and mucous membranes, clinically presenting as depigmented macules and leukotrichia.

Vitiligo was historically regarded as a cosmetic disorder; however, it is an immune disease as it affects patient well-being . It affects approximately 0.5-1% of the global population. A Study reported a prevalence of 1.2% in the Egyptian population.

Vitiligo is asymptomatic disease, so its effect on quality of life is much more related to psychological problems, such as lack of self-confidence unpleasant body images unsuccessful social relationships, and lower quality of marital relations, than the exclusive physical issues. It has been shown that patients with vitiligo are at risk of higher social discrimination and stigma Lesions that are more severe, on the face, or covering a greater BSA are more often associated with poorer outcomes and activity impairment.

Recently a study conducted in Egypt in 2023 noted that more than half of studied sample had low level of self-esteem and quality of life. While more than half of studied sample had moderate negative body image. Also, half of studied sample had moderate level of social problems .

limited studies have been conducted in Upper Egypt which assess life quality of patients with vitiligo and but those Studies employed non-specific tools like Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).

Lilly et al have developed a reliable tool with high internal consistency named as Vitiligo specific Quality of life questionnaire(VITIQOL) that consists of 16 questions comprising of demographic and clinical parameters of the patients.

Also the work productivity and activity impairment among vitiligo patients in Egypt have not been assessed before .

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults > 18 years and less than 60 years old diagnosed with vitiligo by a physician Patients willing to complete the survey questionnaires Patients who can speak Arabic

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with other major skin disease affecting QOL . Patient with chronic diseases as diabetes mellitus and hypertension Not working patients