Validation of a melasma quality of life questionnaire for the Turkish language: The MelasQoL-TR study

Objectives: In this study, the objective was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the melasma quality of life questionnaire (MelasQoL-Tr) for melasma patients. Methods: The study included 114 melasma patients. The melasma area and severity index (MASI), MelasQoL-Tr and the Turkish short version of the QoL assessment instrument from the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF) were used to assess melasma severity and QoL at baseline. The reliability and validity of MelasQoL-Tr were computed. Results: The mean age of the patients in the study was 31.8 7.3 years. The internal consistency of the scale (Cronbach's alpha coefficient) was 0.88. The MelasQoL-Tr score was 29.9 14.6 (range 10-66). The total WHOQOL-BREF score was 54.8 9.8. The comparison of MelasQoL-Tr and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires showed an inverse significant correlation on total scores, which indicated a sufficient convergent validity. According to the subscale of WHOQOL-BREF, the inverse correlation was most significant between the MelasQoL-Tr score and psychological domain and less significant between the MelasQoL-Tr score and environmental domain. The MelasQoL-Tr score and MASI were significantly correlated. Conclusion: The Turkish version of the MelasQoL was valid and reliable for evaluating the quality of life of Turkish melasma patients.