Well-being in German patients with vitiligo in genital and visible areas - a pilot study.

Background: Only a few studies exist on the psychosocial impact of vitiligo in German patients, in particular those affected in genital and visible body areas.

Methods: This monocentric pilot study aimed to assess well-being of adult patients with vitiligo and to compare sex, age, and clinical characteristics between patients with and without genital, facial and hand involvement. Well-being was assessed using the WHO-5 questionnaire and quality of life with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Furthermore, psychometric properties of the WHO-5 well-being index were tested.

Results: In total, 110 patients (mean age ± SD: 47.5 ± 14.7 years; 54.5% female; 95.5% with non-segmental vitiligo) were included. The WHO-5 mean score was 13.3, with 46 patients (42.2%) having a score < 13, indicating reduced well-being. Sixteen patients (14.7%) had a WHO-5 score < 7, indicating a high probability of depression. No significant differences in WHO-5 or DLQI scores were found between patients with vs without genital, facial, and hand involvement. Psychometric properties were confirmed to be good.

Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the psychosocial impact of vitiligo in German patients, as reflected by reduced well-being, and suggest the usefulness of the WHO-5 as a simple psychosocial screening tool for routine care.