Home / Publications / Patient-reported outcomes: A 5-year long study reveals previously unreported therapeutic, demographic, socio-economic, and other correlations in vitiligo

Publication - 2018Patient-reported outcomes: A 5-year long study reveals previously unreported therapeutic, demographic, socio-economic, and other correlations in vitiligo

Publication

Patient-reported outcomes: A 5-year long study reveals previously unreported therapeutic, demographic, socio-economic, and other correlations in vitiligo

The aim of the study is to contribute to the scant research on the patient-reported outcomes in vitiligo, and to examine the presence of associations between various inputs for possible use in clinical practice. The study was designed as a web-based questionnaire with 40 inputs across seven dimensions. The questions include demographics, skin type, eye and natural hair color, age of respondent and age of onset, possible triggers, disease extent, localization, progression and activity, the efficacy of most common treatment modalities, medication side-effects, heredity and diseases among parents, and out-of-pocket expenses for treatments to date. The analysis presented with this work contributes to the discussion about the relation between therapies, socio-economic factors, and treatment outcomes in vitiligo. All physicians should adequately manage patient expectations in terms of overall treatment duration and expected out-of-pocket expenses, and actively evaluate patients at shorter intervals. A more aggressive therapeutic approach using telehealth devices should be considered to supplement therapy, monitor treatment progress, and protocol compliance.

Abstract   

Valle Y, Korobko I, França K, Lotti T.



All Publications

FAQOther Questions

  • How Vitiligo Changes with Age?

    Vitiligo, a condition characterized by the loss of skin pigmentation, can affect individuals at any stage of life. While it often appears before the age of 20, its progression a...

  • Is vitiligo contagious?

    Vitiligo is not contagious. This means it cannot be spread from person to person through physical contact, sharing personal items, or any other means of transmission. Vitiligo ...

  • Is there a special diet for vitiligo?

    Recent research highlights the potential of diet and nutrition in managing vitiligo, offering an alternative where traditional therapies may be lacking. However, the relationshi...