PS10 Quality of life and psychological morbidity in patients with xanthelasma palpebrarum and its association with clinicodemographic parameters

Abstract Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP), although asymptomatic, often causes concern due to its facial location near the eyes, impacting appearance, and its association with dyslipidaemia and other conditions. This may negatively affect the psychological wellbeing of patients. Previous studies have not evaluated the impact of XP on quality of life or psychological health. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life and psychological status in patients with XP and their association with clinical and demographic factors. Patients diagnosed with XP at a tertiary care centre’s dermatology and ophthalmology clinics were evaluated using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Scores were correlated with clinical and demographic details. Of 51 patients recruited, 16 [31%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 18.7–45.1] were found to have either mild depression (12; 24%, 95% CI 12.5–36.8) or mild anxiety (14; 27%, 95% CI 15.6–41.0) based on the cutoff scores of the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 questionnaires, respectively. Based on DLQI scores, 13 patients (25%, 95% CI 14.3–39.6) were found to have an effect of XP on quality of life (small impact: DLQI 2–5). The mean (SD) overall size of XP lesions (sum of surface area of all the lesions involving the four eyelids) was significantly higher in patients with depression [136 (SD 66.8) mm2 vs. 85.3 (SD 49.2) mm2; P = 0.006], anxiety [135 (SD 63.1) mm2 vs. 83.1 (SD 48.8) mm2; P = 0.003] and impaired quality of life [133 (SD 68.5) mm2 vs. 85.1 (SD 48.3) mm2] compared with those without. Similarly, the proportions of patients with a history of failed previous treatment of XP in terms of partial or incomplete response or recurrence were higher in patients with depression (58% vs. 21%, P = 0.01) and anxiety (57% vs. 19%, P = 0.008) than in those without. No association of depression, anxiety or impaired quality of life in patients with XP was found with other clinicodemographic factors like age, sex, duration of lesions, socioeconomic status or comorbidities. A significant burden of mild depression and anxiety, as well as a small impairment of quality of life, was found to be associated with XP, which correlated with size of the XP lesions. Presence of depression and anxiety also correlated with previous treatment failure of XP.