Clinical and Epidemiological Study of Melasma in Men Attending Tertiary Referral Hospital in South India
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Date
2024-01
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Publisher
International Research Organization for Life & Health Sciences
Abstract
Background: Melasma is one of the most common causes of acquired facial hypermelanosis that affects both genders and all races. Unlike melasma in women, which has been studied in detail, there is a paucity of studies on the clinico-epidemiological pattern of melasma in men. Aim: To study the clinical profile and epidemiology of melasma in males. Materials and Methods: This is a single-center observational study in which 108 male patients with melasma, belonging to the age group 20–60 years, were selected. A detailed clinical history was taken with the help of a well-structured proforma, which specifically included history of occupation, number of hours of sun exposure, family history, use of any topical or systemic medications, and history of any chronic illness. Following which, a wood lamp examination was done. Results: The most affected age ranges were 31–35 years (n = 38, 35.18%), followed by 36–40 years (n = 27, 25%). The prevalence of melasma among males in this study was found to be 7.15%. In this study, 48.1% had Fitzpatrick skin type IV, 31.48% had Fitzpatrick skin type III, 12.03% had Fitzpatrick skin type V, and 6.48% had Fitzpatrick skin type VI. 33.3% expressed a positive family history. Occupational sun exposure was seen in 80.55% of the cases, whereas 19.44% of patients reported exposure to heat at work place for a significant portion of the day. In this study, the majority of the patients (n = 32, 29.6%) had no history of topical application prior to the onset of the disease. 22 patients (20.37%) had associated type 2 diabetes mellitus, 8 patients (7.4%) had associated thyroid disorder (hypothyroidism), and 4 cases (3.7%) had associated chronic kidney disease. Epidermal melasma was found in the majority of cases (51.85%) on Wood’s Lamp examination; 22 cases (20.37%) had a mixed type of melasma, and 12 cases (11.1%) had a dermal type of melasma. Among the cases, 51 (47.2%) had a melasma area and severity index score between 5 and 10. Conclusion: Though the prevalence of melasma is more in India, very few men are diagnosed with it. This could be due to comparatively less cosmetic concern among males in this part of the state and a fewer number of patients attending the outpatient department. The principal risk factors for melasma are sun exposure and family history. Epidermal melasma was found in the majority of cases.
Description
Keywords
Melasma, Men, South India
Citation
Charles BGS, Lakshminarayan D, Shaik A, Praveen SV. Clinical and Epidemiological Study of Melasma in Men Attending Tertiary Referral Hospital in South India. International Journal of Scientific Study. 2024 Jan; 11(10): 37-42