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Facial port-wine stains have significant impact on quality of life

Facial port-wine stains had a significant negative impact on patients’ quality of life, according to study results published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Researchers studied 244 adults (74.6% female; mean age, 38.9 years) with facial port-wine stains who completed an online quality of life survey between Nov. 7, 2015, and March 1, 2016, including the Skindex-29 instrument.

There were 76 patients (31.2%) who reported involvement with body regions beyond the face. A majority of patients (77.1%) reported undergoing at least one laser treatment of facial port-wine stains.

The presence of facial port-wine stains had a moderate negative influence on quality of life, especially emotional, with patients with facial port-wine stains having a mean Skindex-29 composite sore of 24.6.

“Variables associated with reduced [quality of life] in all Skindex-29 subdomains included comorbid depression, limited facial mobility, and presence of other skin conditions,” the researchers wrote.

Emotional and symptomatic impairment was greater in patients with hypertrophy.

Adults with facial port-wine stains had Skindex-29 composite quality of life scores similar to those with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, rosacea, alopecia and vitiligo.

“Our analysis demonstrates that the presence of a facial [port-wine stain] has a significant negative affect on [quality of life],” the researchers concluded. “Dermatologists caring for patients with [port-wine stains] should inquire about [quality of life] when discussing treatment options and obtaining authorization for these procedures.” – by Bruce Thiel

Disclo sure: Hagen reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for the other researchers’ relevant financial disclosures.