title: Quality of life in adults with facial port-wine stains.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Facial port-wine stains (PWS) are considered by some an aesthetic skin problem, yet impact on quality of life (QoL) has not been objectively documented.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to (1) characterize the effect of PWS on QoL in adults, (2) to identify the clinical and demographic factors that affect QoL, and (3) to compare our results with QoL studies in other skin conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 244 adults with facial PWS completed an online QoL survey, which included the Skindex-29 instrument.
  
  
  RESULTS
  QoL in adults with facial PWS was diminished, especially from an emotional perspective. Variables associated with reduced QoL in all Skindex-29 subdomains included comorbid depression, limited facial mobility, and presence of other skin conditions. Persons with hypertrophy had more emotional and symptomatic impairment. The composite dermatologic-specific QoL scores were similar to those of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, rosacea, alopecia, and vitiligo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Selection bias was a potential limitation, as participants were primarily recruited from patient support groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our analysis demonstrates that the presence of a facial PWS has a significant negative impact on QoL. Dermatologists caring for patients with PWS should inquire about QoL, provide appropriate support and resources, and consider QoL when discussing treatment options and obtaining authorization for these procedures.
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Electronic address: hagen333@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Solveig L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hagen
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Katherine R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Grey
authors.affiliation: University of California Irvine, Department of Dermatology, Irvine, California.
authors.forename: Dorota Z
authors.initials: DZ
authors.lastname: Korta
authors.affiliation: University of California Irvine, Department of Dermatology, Irvine, California.
authors.forename: Kristen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D004644:Emotions; D004954:Esthetics; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D019339:Port-Wine Stain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D015983:Selection Bias; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000523:psychology; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009626:Terminology as Topic
keywords: Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome; Skindex-29; Sturge-Weber Syndrome; port-wine stain; quality of life