Port-wine stain and its influence on patients' quality of life and psychosocial issues

Port-wine stain (PWS) is a congenital vascular malformation. It can result in inferior quality of life or stigmatization. Multiple questionnaires are used to collect data about patients' mental state.

The aim of the study was to investigate psychosocial well-being of patients with PWS using standardized tools and raise the awareness of the importance of mental health care in dermatological conditions.

59 adult patients filled an online survey consisting of 5 psychological questionnaires: Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Skindex-29, Perceived Stigmatization Questionnaire (PSQ), Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and also provided demographic data and lesion characteristics. The data were subjected to analysis.

Out of the 59 patients, 86.4% were females and 13.6% were males. The mean age was 32.12 years. According to DLQI, quality of life was decreased in 52.5% of patients. According to HADS, 45.8% of patients were affected by anxiety and 22% by depression. Skindex-29 revealed that PWS had a moderate negative influence on patients' life. In more than half of the patients, perception of their body was disturbed due to DCQ results.

PWS affects psychosocial well-being of patients including their quality of life, self-perception of the body or feeling of stigmatization. Interdisciplinary approach is needed to provide patients with necessary psychological or psychiatric care.