Exploring Vitiligo History and Mental Health Burden Among People Within EU5 Countries: Findings from the Global VALIANT Study.

IF 3.5 3区医学 Q1 DERMATOLOGY

Dermatology and Therapy Pub Date : 2025-07-04 DOI:10.1007/s13555-025-01451-w

Khaled Ezzedine, John E Harris, Iltefat H Hamzavi, Kristen Bibeau, Jessy Gao, Haobo Ren, Nanja van Geel

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction: Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by destruction of pigment-producing melanocytes in the skin. This study explores the patient and treatment history of vitiligo and associated mental health burden in EU5 countries.

Methods: The cross-sectional global Vitiligo and Life Impact Among International Communities (VALIANT) study recruited people with vitiligo via an online panel and surveyed them regarding clinical characteristics, vitiligo treatment, quality of life (QoL), and mental health.

Results: A total of 1151 patients were surveyed in EU5 countries (France, n = 250; Germany, n = 250; Italy, n = 200; Spain, n = 200; UK, n = 251). Half of patients (50.3%) reported a family history of vitiligo, with highest rates in France (66.4%) and Germany (58.8%). Many patients experienced flares during periods of stress (65.1%) or itching before/during a flare (61.5%), with highest rates in Germany (78.4%/78.8%, respectively; P < 0.01 vs all). German patients used the greatest mean number of vitiligo treatments (6.5; P < 0.0001 vs all), and French patients reported the highest rates of current non-treatment (20.8%; P < 0.05 vs Germany). Half of patients (53.9%) reported frequently hiding their vitiligo lesions, with highest rates in Germany (60.4%) and France (58.4%; both P < 0.05 vs Italy/Spain). German and French patients also reported highest disease burden (P < 0.05 vs Italy/Spain/UK). Over half (58.3%) of patients reported diagnosed mental health conditions (anxiety [26.5%]; depression [23.4%]). Rates of moderate to severe depressive symptoms were highest in Germany (64.8%; P < 0.05 vs all).

Conclusion: Among EU5 countries, patients from Germany and France generally reported higher burden than those from Italy, Spain, or the UK, although the impact of vitiligo on these patients cannot be discounted. Patients reported flares during periods of stress and great impact of vitiligo on their QoL and mental health. There is continued need for improved management strategies for patients with vitiligo, including the reduction of QoL and mental health burden.

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探索白癜风史和欧盟五国人民的精神健康负担：来自全球VALIANT研究的发现

简介：白癜风是一种慢性自身免疫性疾病，其特征是皮肤中产生色素的黑色素细胞被破坏。本研究探讨了欧盟五国白癜风的患者和治疗史以及相关的精神健康负担。方法：横断面全球白癜风与国际社区生活影响（VALIANT）研究通过在线小组招募白癜风患者，并调查他们的临床特征、白癜风治疗、生活质量（QoL）和心理健康。结果：在欧盟5国共调查了1151例患者(法国，n = 250；德国，n = 250；意大利，n = 200；西班牙，n = 200；英国，n = 251)。一半的患者（50.3%）报告有白癜风家族史，法国（66.4%）和德国（58.8%）的发病率最高。许多患者在紧张期间（65.1%）或在发作前/发作期间（61.5%）出现瘙痒，其中德国的发生率最高（分别为78.4%/78.8%）；结论：在欧盟5国中，尽管白癜风对这些患者的影响不容忽视，但德国和法国患者报告的负担普遍高于意大利、西班牙或英国患者。患者报告在压力期间发作白癜风，白癜风对他们的生活质量和心理健康有很大影响。白癜风患者仍需改进管理策略，包括降低生活质量和心理健康负担。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Dermatology and Therapy Medicine-Dermatology

CiteScore

6.00

自引率

8.80%

发文量

187

审稿时长

6 weeks

期刊介绍： Dermatology and Therapy is an international, open access, peer-reviewed, rapid publication journal (peer review in 2 weeks, published 3–4 weeks from acceptance). The journal is dedicated to the publication of high-quality clinical (all phases), observational, real-world, and health outcomes research around the discovery, development, and use of dermatological therapies. Studies relating to diagnosis, pharmacoeconomics, public health and epidemiology, quality of life, and patient care, management, and education are also encouraged. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to all clinical aspects of dermatology, such as skin pharmacology; skin development and aging; prevention, diagnosis, and management of skin disorders and melanomas; research into dermal structures and pathology; and all areas of aesthetic dermatology, including skin maintenance, dermatological surgery, and lasers. The journal is of interest to a broad audience of pharmaceutical and healthcare professionals and publishes original research, reviews, case reports/case series, trial protocols, and short communications. Dermatology and Therapy will consider all scientifically sound research be it positive, confirmatory or negative data. Submissions are welcomed whether they relate to an International and/or a country-specific audience, something that is crucially important when researchers are trying to target more specific patient populations. This inclusive approach allows the journal to assist in the dissemination of quality research, which may be considered of insufficient interest by other journals. The journal appeals to a global audience and receives submissions from all over the world.