D G C © 2008

Updated May 08

IN PATIENTS WITH PORT WINE STAINS

C. M. MILLS, J. HUGHES and S. W. LANIGAN

Dept. of Dermatology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff and Bridgend General Hospital, Bridgend, Wales, UK.

As port wine stains (PWS) can be successfully treated with lasers, it is important to quantify the psychological disabilities associated with this disorder to assess the needs for and benefits from treatment.

All patients 15 years and older with PWS attending a laser clinic completed a psychological questionnaire at their first visit. 188 patients completed the questionnaire. This is the largest study quantifying psychological morbidity in this patient population.

146 females and 42 males completed the questionnaire. Average age was 33 – 1 years (range 15 – 73). 152 patients (112 females) had a PWS on the face. The questionnaire consisted of 8 statements relating the patients’ attitude to their PWS with a 5 choice answer ranging from “Always” (Score 4) to “Never” (Score 0). A maximum score of 32 indicates highest psychological distress. The questionnaire was similar to one used in a previous study.

The overall mean score for males (No = 42) was 17.6, range 4 to 32. For females (No = 146) mean score was 20.5, range 4 to 32. The statement with the highest mean score (max. 4) was “I feel the need to hide my birthmark”, mean score 2.95. Second highest was “My birthmark affects my self-confidence”, mean score 2.72. The statement with the lowest score was “I feel depressed because of my birthmark”, mean score 1.98.

Highest scores for the “hide” statement were seen in non-facial PWS patients, mean 3.4 versus 2.8 in facial PWS.

Overall scores were higher in the non-facial PWS patients, mean 25.8, range 7 – 32 compared to patients with a facial PWS, mean 18.5, range 4 – 32.

In conclusion, this study measures the psychological disability occurring in patients with PWS attending a laser clinic. This morbidity can be quantified and serves as a baseline for comparisons following treatment. Patients with non-facial PWS do not demonstrate reduced psychological morbidity when compared to patients with facial PWS.

Lanigan S W, Cotterill J A. Psychological disabilities amongst patients with port wine stains. 

•    Br J Dermatol 1969; 121: 209 – 15.

Acknowledgement: This study was supported by the Disfigurement Guidance Centre, Cupar, Fife, Scotland.

British Journal of Dermatology 1994; 131, Suppl 44.

Abstract reproduced by kind permission of the Editor of the British Journal of Dermatology.