Family vitiligo impact scale: A scale to measure the quality-of-life of family members of patients with vitiligo

Reliability and validity validation of the Chinese version of the family vitiligo impact scale

BACKGROUND

The Family Vitiligo Impact Scale (FVIS) is the first reliable and valid instrument to evaluate the psychological and social impact on family members with vitiligo. However, the FVIS has not yet been validated in China.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to adapt the FVIS across cultures and utilize a cross-sectional design to validate its reliability and validity in evaluating the quality of life of family members with vitiligo in China.

METHODS

The original version scale was first translated into Chinese using Brislin back- translation method. This study was conducted among adult individuals in China (N = 348). The participants were aged 18 to 70 years, with a mean age of 33.6 years (SD = 11.3). The sample consisted of 50.9% females (n = 177) and 49.1% males (n = 171). Respondents completed the Chinese versions of the FVIS and Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confrmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to test the construct validity of the scale, and the content validity of the scale was assessed through the content validity index. The internal consistency of the scale was assessed by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefcient, Omega coefcient, split-half reliability, and test-retest reliability.

RESULTS

EFA supported a three-factor structure, explaining 79.208% of cumulative variance. CFA demonstrated satisfactory construct validity for the FVIS, with excellent model fit: chi-square degree of freedom (χ2/df) = 2.019, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.072, standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.0145, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.983, and Tucker Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.978. The content validity index of the scale was 0.979. The Cronbach's alpha coefcient was 0.975, Omega coefcient was 0.964, the split-half reliability coefcient was 0.977, and the test-retest reliability was 0.959.

CONCLUSION

The Chinese FVIS showed satisfactory reliability and validity for assessing vitiligo's psychosocial impact on family membersin Chinese clinical and research settings.

[Quality of life, disease burden and healthcare need of patients with vitiligo]

BACKGROUND

With a prevalence of 0.5-2%, vitiligo is one of the most common skin disorders worldwide with loss of pigment. The skin disease has a disfiguring, often stigmatising character and is often associated with psychosocial distress.

OBJECTIVE

To provide an overview of the psychosocial impairment, disease burden and resulting health care needs of patients with vitiligo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Narrative review based on a literature search in PubMed for the years 1996-2022 on disease burden, quality of life and stigmatization is provided.

RESULTS

The search yielded 175 relevant original papers including clinical studies, meta-analyses and systematic reviews (n = 65) for the search period. A large number of studies document that vitiligo is associated with considerable psychosocial stress and relevant losses in quality of life. Problem areas particularly concern stigmatisation, sexual dysfunction, anxiety, reduced self-esteem and problems at work. The observed increased levels of anxiety and depression correlate with the severity and activity of vitiligo. Often, comorbidity also contributes to reduced self-esteem and social isolation. These factors determine a high need for care in a relevant proportion of those affected.

CONCLUSION

Vitiligo is not primarily a cosmetic problem, but a disease requiring treatment according to the World Health Organisation's definition of health as physical, mental and social well-being. The benefits of treatment options are to be measured by their effects on patient-reported outcomes.

Quality of life measurement in vitiligo. Position statement of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Task Force on Quality of Life and Patient Oriented Outcomes with external experts

Members of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Task Force on Quality of Life (QoL) and Patient Oriented Outcomes reviewed the instruments available for health-related (HR) QoL assessment in vitiligo and together with external vitiligo experts (including representatives of the EADV Vitiligo Task Force) have made practical recommendations concerning the assessment of QoL in vitiligo patients. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was the most frequently used HRQoL instrument, making comparison of results between different countries possible. Several vitiligo-specific instruments were identified. The vitiligo Impact Scale (VIS) is an extensively validated vitiligo-specific HRQoL instrument with proposed minimal important change and clinical interpretation for VIS-22 scores. VIS-22 was developed for use in India, where there are some specific cultural beliefs concerning vitiligo. The EADV Task Force on QoL and Patient Oriented Outcomes recommends use of the DLQI and the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) as dermatology-specific instruments in vitiligo. There is a strong need for a valid (including cross-cultural validation) vitiligo-specific instrument that can be either a new instrument or the improvement of existing instruments. This validation must include the proof of responsiveness.