Evaluating the quality of life among melasma patients using the MELASQoL scale: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Yuan Zhu; Xiaofang Zeng; Jieya Ying; Yujia Cai; Yu Qiu; Wenzhong Xiang

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0262833

Evaluating the quality of life among melasma patients using the MELASQoL scale: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PLoS One. 2022 Jan 27;17(1):e0262833. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262833. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Yuan Zhu¹, Xiaofang Zeng², Jieya Ying¹, Yujia Cai¹, Yu Qiu², Wenzhong Xiang²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
² Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, Affiliated Hangzhou Dermatology Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.

Abstract

Background: According to the literature, pigmentary disorders have a significantly negative impact on a person's health-related quality of life. Moreover, among pigmentary disorders, incidence of melasma ranks high. The Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) is the scale that is generally used to evaluate a melasma-affected area and its severity. However, the relationship between the MASI and Melasma Quality of Life (MELASQoL) scores, as well as the impact of melasma on patients' quality of life, remain unclear.

Objectives: To explore the influence of melasma on patients' lives, analyze the relationship between the MASI and MELASQoL scores, and identify the factors that may be influencing the quality of life of patients with melasma.

Methods: Two reviewers independently searched four databases (PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) for literature on quality of life of patients with melasma. In addition to an epidemiological study, a cross-sectional study, and validation studies, gray literature was also included. StataSE version 16 software was used for the meta-analysis. The score of each item on the MELASQoL scale was determined using a random-effects model.

Results: Fourteen studies with a total of 1398 melasma patients were included in the systematic review, four of which were eligible for meta-analysis. The relationship between the MELASQoL and MASI scores was found to be mixed. Five studies concluded that the MASI and MELASQoL scores were statistically correlated, while seven studies found no statistical correlation between the two. It is obvious that melasma causes emotional distress and has a negative impact on patients' social lives. Patients were most bothered by the appearance of their skin condition. However, the MELASQoL score had no definite correlation with patient characteristics such as age, education levels, and history.

Conclusion: Melasma has a significant negative impact on patients' quality of life. Thus, evaluating the quality of life of patients with melasma should not be ignored. Additionally, utilization of the MELASQoL scale should be considered in the care plan. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the relationship between melasma and quality of life.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Melanosis* / psychology
Melanosis* / therapy
Quality of Life*
Stress, Psychological* / psychology
Stress, Psychological* / therapy

Grants and funding

WX received a research grant (No. 2020364003) from Zhejiang Medical and Health Science and Technology Program, China (URL: http://www.msttp.com/); The study also received a research grant (NO. 81872517) from National Natural Science Foundation of China. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.