TLDR Turkish women with hirsutism experience lower quality of life, especially those with PCOS, regardless of hair growth severity.
In a study of 57 Turkish women with hirsutism, it was found that their quality of life, as measured by the Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI), was significantly decreased with a mean score of 9.80 ± 6.50. The study, conducted by Ömer Kutlu, showed no significant correlation between the DLQI and the modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) scores, indicating that the severity of hirsutism did not directly relate to quality of life. However, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) had a significantly higher mean DLQI score, suggesting a greater impact on quality of life. Other clinical symptoms like acne, seborrhea, androgenetic alopecia, menstrual irregularity, or acanthosis nigricans were not found to significantly affect quality of life. The location of hair growth, especially on the face, was suggested to have a more substantial impact on quality of life than the total number of affected areas. The study highlighted the need for psychological support for hirsutism patients, particularly those with PCOS. The limitations of the study included its single-center design and the exclusive use of DLQI for quality of life assessment.
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