The prevalence of melasma and its association with quality of life in adult male Latino migrant workers.
BACKGROUND
Melasma is a common condition of Latino women that detracts from their quality of life (QOL). The prevalence and impact of melasma in Latino men is not well characterized.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of melasma and its association with QOL in Latino men from Mexico and Central America working in the USA.


METHODS
The prevalence of melasma was assessed in three studies of Latino men: by direct examination in a study of 25 Latino poultry workers; by direct examination in a study of 54 Latino farm workers; and by examination of store-and-forward teledermatology images in a study of 300 Latino farm workers. QOL was assessed with a Spanish version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).


RESULTS
The prevalence of melasma was 36.0%, 7.4%, and 14.0% in the three studies. The prevalence of melasma was greatest amongst those aged 31 years and older, who were from Guatemala, and who spoke an indigenous language. The presence of melasma was associated with higher DLQI scores, indicating a poorer QOL, in the poultry worker population.


CONCLUSIONS
Melasma is a common condition in Latino men and is associated with a poor QOL in some affected individuals. Clinicians should be aware that melasma may be a concern for their male Latino patients. Research on the association of skin conditions with QOL amongst minority men is needed.
Pichardo
Rita
R
Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157-1071, USA.
Vallejos
Quirina
Q
Feldman
Steven R
SR
Schulz
Mark R
MR
Verma
Amit
A
Quandt
Sara A
SA
Arcury
Thomas A
TA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008548:Melanosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011336:Probability; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult