Port-wine stain and its influence on patients' quality of life and psychosocial issues.

Abstract

Introduction: Port-wine stain (PWS) is a congenital vascular malformation. It can result in inferior quality of life or stigmatization. Multiple questionnaires are used to collect data about patients' mental state.

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate psychosocial well-being of patients with PWS using standardized tools and raise the awareness of the importance of mental health care in dermatological conditions.

Material and methods: 59 adult patients filled an online survey consisting of 5 psychological questionnaires: Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Skindex-29, Perceived Stigmatization Questionnaire (PSQ), Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and also provided demographic data and lesion characteristics. The data were subjected to analysis.

Results: Out of the 59 patients, 86.4% were females and 13.6% were males. The mean age was 32.12 years. According to DLQI, quality of life was decreased in 52.5% of patients. According to HADS, 45.8% of patients were affected by anxiety and 22% by depression. Skindex-29 revealed that PWS had a moderate negative influence on patients' life. In more than half of the patients, perception of their body was disturbed due to DCQ results.

Conclusions: PWS affects psychosocial well-being of patients including their quality of life, self-perception of the body or feeling of stigmatization. Interdisciplinary approach is needed to provide patients with necessary psychological or psychiatric care.