The Relationship Between Perceived Stress and Vitiligo



M Tajvar MARYAM ; A Mortezaei AMIRHOSSEIN ; Z Khaledian ZEINAB ; A Sadeghinia ALI ; Sn Emadi Seyed NASER ; Ob Atashbahar Omolbanin B
Source: Journal of Babol University of Medical Sciences Published:2024

Abstract

Background and Objective: Vitiligo is a complex skin disorder that manifests itself with colorless spots caused by the destruction of melanocytes and causes psychological disorders in patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the level of perceived stress in vitiligo patients compared to the control group. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Razi Hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences from August 2020 to February 2021. 87 vitiligo patients with definite diagnosis (case group) and 130 patients with other skin diseases not related to psychosomatic factors (control group) were selected via convenience sampling and compared with each other in terms of the level of current perceived stress. In this study, the perceived stress was the dependent variable, the clinical type of the disease and the location of the lesion were the independent variables, and the demographic characteristics of the patients were the background variables. The data were collected and compared using a standard questionnaire of perceived stress in which the range of scores is between 0 and 40. Findings: The average perceived stress in vitiligo patients (19.17±6.24) was higher than other skin patients (16.75±6.96), which was significant by controlling the effect of background variables (Coef.=1.98, CI=0.21-3.75, p=0.02). There was no significant relationship between perceived stress and clinical type and duration of vitiligo. Only the occurrence of genital lesions was related to stress experience (p=0.01). Moreover, with the increase in the level of education, the level of stress in patients decreased (p=0.01). Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, suffering from vitiligo can lead to increased stress in patients. Since stress leads to negative effects on resilience and the quantity and quality of the treatment period in various diseases, it is necessary to pay attention to the significance of counseling and psychological support in the treatment plan of vitiligo patients. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.