Effects of Kligman-Willis’s triple combination therapy on quality of life in female melasma patients

Introduction: Melasma is common cause of skin hyperpigmentation. It’s characterized by symmetric, irregular light brown to dark brown patches of hypermelanosis on parts of the body with most exposure to sun light. Melasma has a significant adverse impact on patients' quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Kligman-Willis’s formula treatment in female with melasma on their QoL. Materials and Methods: In this study, 21 female patients, 15 or higher years old, referred to Semnan University of Medical Sciences  (Semnan, Iran) dermatology clinicduring 2013, were enrolled in the study.They were recognized with melasma for the first time. Treatment of patients with Kligman-Willis formula which contains 5% hydroquinone, tretinoin 0.1% and dexamethasone 0.1%, was done. This formula is a hydrophilic ointment base and is used topically. Treatment was continued for three months and the patients were instructed to apply the medication on the site of the lesion every night. Quality of life before and after 3 month treatment with Kligman-Willis’s formula was investigated by DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index) questionnaire. Results: Mean ±SD age of the patients was 28.3±7.2 years. Level of educational in 76.2% (n = 16) of patients was diploma or lower. 85.7% (n =18) of patients were married. 85.7% of patients had lesion on the face. Before treatment, in 52.4 % of patients the skin disease had very large effect and in 47.6% of patients had extreme effect on QoL. Mean± SD score of DLQI before treatment was 20.29±4.55 and after 3 months treatment decrease to 14.10±3.94, that was statistically significant (p