{"title":"Clinical and Psychological Implications of Genital Vitiligo in a Thai Population.","authors":"Tinnapat Yodtraiseevirat, Teerapat Paringkarn, Prameyuda Watchirakaeyoon, Kanokvalai Kulthanan, Chayada Chaiyabutr, Chanisada Wongpraparut, Narumol Silpa-Archa","doi":"10.1177/12034754241269200","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The understanding of genital vitiligo among Thai individuals is limited.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study evaluated the clinical presentation, quality of life, and sexual health consequences of genital vitiligo.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study involving vitiligo patients aged 18 years or older with past or present genital involvement was conducted at Siriraj Hospital. It also measured aspects of sexual health and quality of life.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age of the 41 participants was 48.2 years, and 24 (58.5%) were males. All participants presented with genital vitiligo. In males, the penile shaft (45.8%), scrotum (45.8%), and glans (33.3%) were predominantly affected. In females, the mons pubis (64.7%), labia majora (23.5%), and labia minora (23.5%) were frequently involved. Both sexes reported afflictions in the pubic area (41.5%), inguinal region (36.6%), buttocks (34.1%), and oral mucosa (34.1%). Itching was the principal symptom in 26.8% of the patients. The median Dermatology Life Quality Index scores were significantly different (females 6, males 3.5). Compared with their male counterparts, females exhibited lower self-esteem (41.2% vs 29.2%), greater apprehension about marriage (11.8% vs 8.3%), and embarrassment about sexual activities (23.5% vs 16.7%). Remarkably, 65.9% of patients had not discussed their genital vitiligo with their doctors, and 51.2% of physicians had not inquired about or examined for genital involvement.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Genital vitiligo adversely impacts quality of life and self-esteem, particularly among female patients. The lack of discourse between patients and physicians highlights a need for increased awareness and proactive clinical investigations to enhance patient care and satisfaction.</p>","PeriodicalId":15403,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.1000,"publicationDate":"2024-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/12034754241269200","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"DERMATOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: The understanding of genital vitiligo among Thai individuals is limited.
Objectives: This study evaluated the clinical presentation, quality of life, and sexual health consequences of genital vitiligo.
Methods: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study involving vitiligo patients aged 18 years or older with past or present genital involvement was conducted at Siriraj Hospital. It also measured aspects of sexual health and quality of life.
Results: The mean age of the 41 participants was 48.2 years, and 24 (58.5%) were males. All participants presented with genital vitiligo. In males, the penile shaft (45.8%), scrotum (45.8%), and glans (33.3%) were predominantly affected. In females, the mons pubis (64.7%), labia majora (23.5%), and labia minora (23.5%) were frequently involved. Both sexes reported afflictions in the pubic area (41.5%), inguinal region (36.6%), buttocks (34.1%), and oral mucosa (34.1%). Itching was the principal symptom in 26.8% of the patients. The median Dermatology Life Quality Index scores were significantly different (females 6, males 3.5). Compared with their male counterparts, females exhibited lower self-esteem (41.2% vs 29.2%), greater apprehension about marriage (11.8% vs 8.3%), and embarrassment about sexual activities (23.5% vs 16.7%). Remarkably, 65.9% of patients had not discussed their genital vitiligo with their doctors, and 51.2% of physicians had not inquired about or examined for genital involvement.
Conclusions: Genital vitiligo adversely impacts quality of life and self-esteem, particularly among female patients. The lack of discourse between patients and physicians highlights a need for increased awareness and proactive clinical investigations to enhance patient care and satisfaction.
期刊介绍:
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery (JCMS) aims to reflect the state of the art in cutaneous biology and dermatology by providing original scientific writings, as well as a complete critical review of the dermatology literature for clinicians, trainees, and academicians. JCMS endeavours to bring readers cutting edge dermatologic information in two distinct formats. Part of each issue features scholarly research and articles on issues of basic and applied science, insightful case reports, comprehensive continuing medical education, and in depth reviews, all of which provide theoretical framework for practitioners to make sound practical decisions. The evolving field of dermatology is highlighted through these articles. In addition, part of each issue is dedicated to making the most important developments in dermatology easily accessible to the clinician by presenting well-chosen, well-written, and highly organized information in a format that is interesting, clearly presented, and useful to patient care.