MELASMA: A HOSPITAL BASED RETROSPECTIVE STUDY ON CLINICOEPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE

Abstract

Background: Melasma is a common, therapeutically challenging, psychological distressing, pigmentary disorder of sun exposed skin. Aim Of The Study: To study the clinical and epidemiological prole of melasma patients. Materials And Methods: Tertiary care hospital retrospective study using data of melasma patients who attended the dermatology outpatient clinic between February 2012 to May 2021. Study included 296 patients above 18 years. Demographic details were obtained from the pigment clinic proforma. Results: Mean age of 296 patients was 35.4 years, with female predominance (86.1%). Mean age at onset of melasma was 31.9 years. Aggravation with sun exposure was noted in 64.2% cases. Family history was present in 15.2% cases while hypothyroidism in 3.4% cases. Malar involvement was commonest (68.6%). Under Wood's lamp, epidermal type was commonest (57.4%). Cosmetic usage was present in 6.4% cases. Pregnancy precipitation and pregnancy aggravation was noted in 16.5% and 9% females. 7.5% females reported OC pill usage. Conclusion:This study showcases the multifaceted prole of patients aficted with melasma in a tertiary care hospital.