Research Of Mental Health Status And Personality Characteristics Of Vitiligo Patients

Vitiligo is a common, acquired pigmentary anomaly of skin manifested by depigmented white patch surrounded by a normal or a hyperpigmented border. Three possible mechanisms that have been proposed as inducing vitiligo are autoimmunity, neurohumorall factors, and autocytotoxicity, however, none of theses mechanisms has been conclusively proven. After a new medical model––Bio-psychosocial Medicine Medicine Model had been proposed by Engel, more and more attention have been paid to the role of psychosocial factors in the development of vitiligo, and emerging evidence reported 25% of vitiligo patients with mental illness, suggesting that there exists interaction between psychosocial factors and development of vitiligo. However, the studies in the past are short of systematicness and correlation between psychosocial factors and development of vitiligo.ObjectiveTo understand the current status of mental health and personality characteristics of patients with vitiligo and its relationship, analysis possible predisposing factor for vitiligo, and provide theoretical evidence for psychological adjunctive therapy of vitiligo treatment through our investigation of mental health and personality characteristics of vitiligo patients.MethodThe epidemiological questionnaire of vitiligo designed by ourselves, symptom check list 90 (SCL-90), eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ) and sixteen personality factors questionnaire (16PF) were employed to assess the general information, mental health and personality characteristics of 137 patients with vitiligo. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS-13.0 software, and the data were analyzed by t test, X2 test, and Chi-square test.Results1. No significant statistical difference was observed between male and female patients with vitiligo in the distribution and position of vitiligo lesions (P>0.05).2. Compared with normal subjects, all scores of SCL-90, except the factor of somatization symptom, of vitiligo patients are higher than that of normal subjects, the statistical difference is significant (P<0.05).3. Compared with vitiligo patients in active stage, the scores of each factor of SCL-90, except the factor of somatization symptom, of vitiligo patients in stationary stage decreased, the difference between these two groups is statistical significant (P<0.05).4. The scores of somatization symptom and hostility in SCl-90 of patients with sever vitiligo are higher than patients with mild vitiligo, and the difference is statistical significant (P<0.05). 5. Compared with normal subjects, the scores of vitiligo patients in stability and persistence are lower than that of normal subjects, however, the scores of vitiligo patients in doubt, fantasy, independence are higher than that of normal subjects. All of these difference are statistical significance (P<0.05).6. Compared with normal subjects, regardless of male and female, the scores in P measuring scale, E measuring scale and N measuring scale increased. All of these difference are statistical significance (P<0.05).7. Compared with vitiligo patients with lesions in non-exposuring region and generalized pattern, the scores of N measuring scale, L factor and N factor of vitiligo patients with lesions only involved exposuring region such as face and neck increased statistical significantly (P<0.05).8. The negative correlation between C factor, H factor of 16PF and most index of SCL-90 except factor of somatization, and hostility were observed in our studies, however, there are positive correlation between O factor and Q4 factor of 16PF and most index of SCL-90 except factor of somatization, and hostility (P<0.05).9. There is positive correlation between P factor, N factor of EPQ of vitiligo patients and most index of SCL-90, however, negative correlation between E factor, L factor of EPQ of vitiligo patients and most index of SCL-90 were observed in our studies.Conclusion1. There is no significantly statistical difference between male and female patients with vitiligo in the distribution and position of vitiligo lesions. Compared with normal subjects, the status of mental health of vitiligo patients is worse, which is correlated with the development of vitiligo and areas of lesions. Moreover, the patients in active stage have more negative emotion in interpersonal relationship, depression, hostility, phobophobia and psychinosis comparing with the patients in stationary stage.2. Regardless of male or female, patients with vitiligo have higher scores in the P measuring scale, E measuring scale, N measuring scale, L factor and M factor comparing to normal subjects, however, scores in the C factor and G factor are lower than that of normal subjects, indicating that patients with vitiligo often appear anxiety, intension and depression, and patients with vitiligo are hard to adapt environment and to make friends with others due to the illness.3. The vitiligo patients with worse stability, lack of self-assurance, more anxiety, more intention and more suspect have more negative emotion such as compulsion, sensitiveness of interpersonal relationship, depression, anxiety and phobophobia. No matter what personality characteristics of patients with vitiligo are, there is an equal chance for patients with vitiligo to develop psychological problems.