Dermatologica Sinica (Jan 2019)

The effect of striae gravidarum on quality of life in a sample of Turkish pregnant woman population

  • Atiye Ogrum,
  • Hatice Yilmaz Dogru

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/ds.ds_22_18
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 37, no. 2
pp. 72 – 76

Abstract

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Background: Striae gravidarum is a commonly occurred physiological change among women with pregnancy. Although these changes are accepted as physiological, the lack of therapeutical and preventive techniques led to impaired quality of life of women. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of striae gravidarum on quality of life in a sample of Turkish pregnant woman population and the usage of cream/lotion to prevent the striae. Methods: Women with pregnancy whose completed 36 weeks of their pregnancy and admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology outpatient unit between March 2017 and August 2017 were included in the study. The severity of striae was assessed using Davey's score. The effects of striae on patient's quality of life were evaluated by Skindex-29 questionnaire. The usage of cream/lotion whether or not was also asked and recorded. Results: A total of 153 women with pregnancy were included in the study. Of those 43.1% (n = 66) was primiparae and 56.9% (n = 87) was multiparae. The prevalence of striae gravidarum in total, primiparae and multiparae was 75.8%, 66.7%, and 82.7%, respectively. There was a weak positive correlation found between the parity and severity of striae (ρ =0.190, P = 0.018). The emotion and symptom score of primiparae women with severe striae were higher than women without striae (P = 0.001; P = 0.028, respectively). The usage of cream/lotion was significantly higher in primiparae compared to multiparae (P < 0.001). The symptom and emotion scores of the women with striae those applied cream were higher than nonusers (P < 0.001; P = 0.038, respectively). Conclusions: Striae gravidarum may cause psychological and physical effects among women, especially primiparae women with severe striae and negatively affects the quality of life. Cream/lotion may be used to prevent striae development and reduce symptoms of pregnant women with higher emotion scores.

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