Psychologic effects of vitiligo: a critical incident analysis.

Abstract

Qualitative and quantitative studies have shown that cutaneous diseases can have significant effects on psychologic well-being and social functioning in a variety of interpersonal situations. Our purpose was to assess the nature and extent of the social and psychologic difficulties associated with vitiligo using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Six hundred fourteen members of the U.K. Vitiligo Society completed a questionnaire that included the 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and an open-ended question concerning the effects of the disease on their life. Thirty-five percent of the respondents scored above the threshold on the GHQ. Analysis of the qualitative data indicated that vitiligo affects lives in a variety of ways consistent with perceived stigma and that some categories of response (such as avoidance of activities and negative reactions by others) were associated with higher GHQ scores. Many persons with vitiligo show indications of significant distress that are related to specific types of social encounters and emotional disturbance.