A systematic review of the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions on quality of life (QoL) for adult vitiligo patients.

Vitiligo is the most common pigmentation disorder. It is an acquired, progressive disorder, presenting with white macules that can appear anywhere on the skin. Presently, there is no cure for vitiligo. Although there are therapies targeted at improving its appearance, their effectiveness is limited. Without satisfactory solution to vitiligo, patients are permanently disfigured for life. Quality of life of vitiligo patients has been commonly found to be moderately impaired. Patients are chronically embarrassed and depressed. Stigmatisation is also common and cause marginalization. Hence, while vitiligo is not "life-threatening", it can be "life-ruining". Because current treatments are unsatisfactory in repigmenting the skin, the question of continuing treatment must also consider the benefits to quality of life, and that is the purpose of this review.