افسردگي در بيماران مبتلا به ويتيليگو

Prevalence of depression in Vitiligo patients

Introduction: Vitiligo is a acquired skin disease with prevalence of 1% in the community. In spite of existing different options in its treatment, commonly the course .is progressive and the prognosis unpredictable. In our community with a negative attitude of people to the disease, great burdens of social and familial problems are caused to the patient and these may bring about Psychological disorders. The object of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and severity of depression in Vitiligo patients and comparison with normal population according to Hamilton Rating Score for Depression. Material and Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive analytical study of 52 Vitiligo patients presenting to dermatology clinic of Emam Reza hospital agreed to participate in this study. The dissemination and extent of their skin disease was determined and their demographic identification recorded .Then, the 24 item questionnaire of HRSD completed. The same was performed for the control group, which were healthy in general, and dermatology examination and the same as examination group in demographic identification. Result: In the Vitiligo patients group 24 patients (46.2%) and in the control group 3 (5.8%) were depressed. Mean depression score in the Vitiligo patients was 17.48 and in the control 5.6. 7.6% of Vitiligo patients had a history of suicidal attempt. Also, in Vitiligo patients no significant statistical relationship was found between depression score and age, sex , marital state , extent of skin involvement with Vitiligo , expose or non-expose skin lesions, and history of consultation with psychiatrist (P>0.05) . Conclusion: High prevalence of depression in these patients is indicator of an insistent need to collaboration of psychiatrists with dermatologists in the management of this disease.