Psychosocial impact of melasma among Sudanese females attending Khartoum dermatology and venereology teaching hospital 2020-2021

Background: Quality of life (QoL) is defined as capacity to perform the daily activities appropriate to person’s age and his/her major role in the society. Facial appearance plays an important role in self- perception and interaction with others and severe facial blemishes like melasma leave a deleterious impact on patient’s quality of life. This study aimed to assess Psychosocial impact of melasma among Sudanese females attending Khartoum Dermatology Teaching Hospital, 2020-2021. Methods: This study was an observational cross sectional hospital based study conducted at Khartoum Dermatology and Venereology Teaching Hospital in 2020. The study included 135 melasma patients. In these patients the quality of life was assessed using the melasma quality of life measure (MELASQoL). Furthermore, the patients were evaluated using the melasma area and severity index (MSI). Data collected, were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: More than half (59.6%) of melasma patients were in age group 20-30 years old and more than half (57.9%) of melasma patients were married. Majority (62.3%) of melasma patients had MASI score of less than 3. There was significant association between age and score, gender and score; hence p value was less than 0.05 (<0.05). Conclusions: Improvement of early detection of impaired quality of life among melasma patients may provide. Effective management and prevention of this complication due to melasma.