title: Investigating factors associated with depression of vitiligo patients in Singapore.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the depression level of a group of vitiligo patients in Singapore and to identify factors associated with depression.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Unlike most internal illness, skin disease is often immediately visible to others and therefore people suffers from dermatological conditions may suffer psychological consequences.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive survey was conducted during the period October 2009-August 2010 in Singapore; 145 vitiligo patients aged 21+  completed a structured questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three main outcome variables were employed in the study: demographic characteristics, clinical and psychosocial outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the patients, 17·2% (n = 25) had been identified as depressed. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify a model to predict vitiligo patients who will have depression. The results showed that females (p = 0·05), aged below 50 years old (p = 0·016), having 5+ years of illness (p = 0·021) and with low self-esteem (p = 0·002) and poor quality of life scores (p = 0·004) were significant risk factors for depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Providing a suitable health care consultation for vitiligo patients may reduces depressive symptoms and maintaining their psychological health may be crucial for preventing suffering from depressive symptoms. Apart from the findings, these conclusions resonate with recent Singapore guidance on managing depression in vitiligo patients. This stresses the importance of prevention, early detection and stepped care with a multifaceted approach to management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important to regularly screen for depressive symptoms among vitiligo patients. Focusing on vitiligo patients with enhancing self-esteem and improving quality of life should help in both the prevention and recognition of onset of depression among vitiligo patients.
authors.affiliation: Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore. nurcmf@nus.edu.sg
authors.forename: Moon Fai
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Tse Lert
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Chua
authors.forename: Boon Kee
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.forename: Chen Wee Derrick
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Aw
authors.forename: Tien Guan Steven
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Thng
authors.forename: Sze Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012846:Singapore; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000523:psychology*