Background: Melasma is a common hyperpigmentation disorder that has a significant effect on an individualâ��s\r\nquality of life. However, there is no preference-based measurement that reflects quality of life in patients with\r\nmelasma. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of melasma on quality of life by using a health\r\nstatus measurement - the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) - and a preference-based measurement -\r\nWillingness to Pay (WTP) and Time Trade-Off (TTO).\r\nMethods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. Seventy-eight patients with melasma who attended\r\nthe melasma clinic at Siriraj Hospital from February to March 2009 were recruited in this study. The Thai version of\r\nthe DLQI, questionnaires about WTP, standard TTO, and daily TTO were used to assess patientsâ�� quality of life.\r\nResults: Seventy-seven (98.7%) patients were female with a mean age of 47.8 �± 7.9 years. The mean health utility\r\nbased on standard TTO was 0.96. The utility obtained by the daily TTO method was 0.92 and was significantly\r\ncorrelated with an economically inactive occupation (p < 0.05). The mean monthly WTP for the most effective\r\ntreatment was 1,157 baht (7.2% of monthly income), ranging from 100 to 5,000 baht (1 USD ~ 35.1 baht). The WTP\r\nwas significantly correlated with monthly personal income and the total DLQI score.\r\nConclusion: The WTP method could be a useful tool with which to measure the quality of life of patients with\r\nmelasma.
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