OBJECTIVES: Vitiligo is an autoimmune depigmentation disorder that affects patients’ appearance and health related quality of life. This research explored patients’ understanding of the Vitiligo-Specific Quality of Life (VitiQoL) measure including the instructions, item content, response scale, and a modified recall period.

METHODS: The VitiQoL consists of 15 items assessing impacts of vitiligo, using a 0–5 Likert response scale with 1-month recall period and a global impression of severity item. Recall was modified to 1-week (VitiQoL 2.0). The study included face-to-face qualitative interviews with adolescents and adults with vitiligo. Participants were asked about their understanding of the VitiQoL 2.0 items, conceptual relevance, suitability of response options, and appropriateness of the modified recall period.

RESULTS: The study included 20 adults and 10 adolescents, aged 13-77 years, predominantly non-segmental vitiligo (n=23/30, 76.7%) and Fitzpatrick skin type I–III (n=24/30, 80%). Clinician-reported vitiligo body surface area (BSA) involvement ranged from 4-70% overall (90% adolescents and 30% adults with BSA= 4-20%) The VitiQoL 2.0 was generally well received, with participants reporting high levels of item understanding (n=29/30, 96%), as well as suitability of response options (n=29/30, 96%) and of the modified recall period (n=28/30, 93%). Most adults (n=17/20, 85%) and adolescents (n=6/10, 60%) reported that the items were relevant. For two items (3: effect on showing affection; 6: fear of others finding fault), 50% of participants found the concepts relevant and nearly all understood the items, but interpretations were inconsistent.

CONCLUSIONS: While the VitiQoL 2.0 adequately captured the impacts of vitiligo in adults, it had limited conceptual relevance among adolescents. This was possibly due to lower average BSA involvement among adolescent participants who were therefore less likely to experience similar disease impact. With minor modifications, the VitiQoL 2.0 may be suitable to capture patients’ perspective of disease impact in vitiligo clinical trials.