Korean J Dermatol.
2016 Aug;54(7):532-537.
Clinicoepidemiological Features of Melasma in Korean Patients at Five University Hospitals: A Cross-sectional Multicenter Study
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. csesnumd@gmail.com
- 2Department of Dermatology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 3Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 4Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
- 5Department of Dermatology, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Changwon, Korea.
- 6Department of Dermatology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. drko0303@hanyang.ac.kr
Abstract
- BACKGROUND
Melasma is a common acquired hyperpigmentation disorder that predominantly affects the face. It frequently occurs in women with darker skin types and severely impacts quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the clinicoepidemiological features and triggering or aggravating factors of melasma in Korean patients.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted at the dermatology clinics of five university hospitals in Korea. Between January 2011 and August 2012, 411 patients with melasma completed a questionnaire about the clinical and aggravating factors associated with their melasma.
RESULTS
The study population consisted of 400 women and 11 men aged 22~73 years (mean age, 42.8±9.92 years). Triggering or aggravating factors were sun exposure (68.4%), pregnancy (27.0%), and emotional stress (24.8%). Interestingly, 61.1% of patients complained of sensitive/inflammatory features such as erythema, itching, and a stinging sensation. Dryness was the most common aggravating factor, followed by erythema/redness and itching/stinging. Concomitant pigmentary disorders included post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in 15.1% of patients, followed by pigmented contact dermatitis, and acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules.
CONCLUSION
It is well known that sun exposure and hormonal changes are the most common triggers of melasma; however, sensitive/inflammatory features may aggravate melasma in East Asian patients. Therefore, these individual and racial differences should be considered in the prevention and treatment of melasma.
