Impactos psicossociais na qualidade de vida de pacientes com melasma refratário tratados com luz intensa pulsada

Abstract

In recent decades, it has been observed growing interest regarding the negative impact of the disease on patients quality of life. We observed the almost absence of melasma treatment studies with the use of intense pulsed light (IPL) and due to the high prevalence of melasma in tropical regions. This study aimed to assess the impact on quality of life of patients with refractory melasma treated with IPL, through the application of quality of life questionnaire in melasma - portuguese version (MELASQoL-BP). IPL has been used in the treatment of refractory melasma as an alternative to conventional topical treatments. With the emergence of IPL has managed to act on low contrast spots – ex: melasma, modifying the natural history of this disease which affects particularly the emotional state of patients. Open, randomized, evaluator-blinded trial included patients with mixed melasma with phototypes IV-V. Investigator global assessment showed that the difference in improvement rate between IPL group and control group was significant, with a better response in the IPL group. A significant reduction of Melasma Quality of Life Scale (MelasQol) score was observed in IPL group. There is a small correlation between MelasQol and MASI (clinical evaluation)scores (r=0.27). This study confirms that IPL/TC is a safe and effective treatment for refractory mixed melasma patients with skin phototypes IV and V, directly affecting the quality of life of patients. The improvement in quality of life of patients with mixed melasma promoted by IPL/TC does not correlate with the MASI and investigator’s global assessment, in other words, a good clinical improvement not reflected proportionally on quality of life.