Risk factors of striae gravidarum and chloasma melasma and their effects on quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the risk factors associated with striae gravidarum (SG) and chloasma melasma (CM) and their effects on the quality of life.

METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in Turkey with 1000 pregnant women at 36 weeks of gestation and above. Personal information form, Quality of Life (SF36) Scale, Skindex-29 Scale, and MelasQoL-TR questionnaire were applied to pregnant women. Besides, skin types of pregnant women were determined using Fitzpatrick Skin Type Classification. Davey's score was used to determine the severity of SG.

RESULTS: In the study, the prevalence of SG was found as 67.9% (n = 679), and the prevalence of CM 23.5% (n = 235). There was a significant relationship between young age, low education level, high BMI before pregnancy, history of SG in her previous pregnancy, family history of SG, and development of SG in pregnant women (p = 0.001). There was a significant relationship between CM in her previous pregnancy and family history of CM and development of CM (p = 0.001). The quality of life of pregnant women with SG was found to be lower than without SG (p < 0.001). The quality of life of pregnant women with CM was found to be lower than without CM (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: As a result, in the study, it was determined that young age, low education level, high BMI, history of SG in previous pregnancy, and family history of SG were risk factors for SG. The risk factors of CM, on the other hand, were found as the history of CM in the previous pregnancy and the family. It was identified that SG and CM have adverse effects on the quality of life.