Title: EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF PERIORBITAL HYPERMELANOSIS
Abstract: Background: Periorbital hypermelanosis also called dark circles form the major percentage of dermatology consultations. Importance of these disorders is growing as they cause easy visible cosmetic disfigurement and significant psychosocial consequences. Aims: To assess the patients of POH disorders for demographic, etiological and clinical profile. Methods: This prospective hospital-based clinical study, conducted in a tertiary medical center over a period of two years, involved 200 patients with POH disorders, assessed using detailed history taking and clinical examination for demographic, etiological and clinical data. Data is statistically described in frequencies (number of cases) and percentages(%) . Results: Majority of patients were in age group 18-40 years. Females dominated the study with a number of 169 (84.5%) , only 31 (15.5%) were males. Most of the patients belonged to Grade 2 (53%), grade 3 was seen in 27% patients followed by grade 1 (16.5% ) and grade 4 (3.5% ) POH. Family history was positive in 81.5% patients. POH was observed mostly in housewives 93 (46.5%) and patients with indoor occupation 69 (34.5%) and less commonly in patients with outdoor occupation 29 (14.5%). Almost all cases of POH gave history of exacerbation following sun exposure. Not a single patient showed hepatic, renal complaints, hypothyroidism or ecchymosis. Majority of patients (86.5%) had altered Sleeping habits. Alcohol and smoking did not have a significant co-relation with POH. It was found that only five percent females on oral contraceptives developed POH and there was no change in Pigmentation of POH in relation to menstrual cycle in any of the females. Limitations: The quantitative assessment of melanin by specialized instrument ( mexameter) could not be done because of lack of resources.