Body Dysmorphic Disorder in Patients with Cosmetic Concern Attending Dermatology Clinics: A Study of Prevalence, Demographic Correlates, and Psychiatric Comorbidity

Body Dysmorphic Disorder in Patients with Cosmetic Concern Attending Dermatology Clinics: A Study of Prevalence, Demographic Correlates, and Psychiatric Comorbidity

Objectives: In this study, we intended to screen the patients who were attending dermatology clinics with cosmetic concerns for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) to determine the prevalence of BDD and psychiatric comorbidity in patients suffering from BDD, as well as to study the association of BDD with various sociodemographic factors. Methods: We did a cross-sectional study at the dermatology clinic of a tertiary care government hospital in Vadodara. We screened 2,500 patients with BDD Questionnaire-Dermatology version (BDDQ-DV). Those screened-positive patients with BDD were diagnosed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Psychiatric comorbidity was screened using General Health Questionnaire-28 and diagnosed using DSM-5. Results: Out of 2,500 patients, 315 screened positive for BDD using the BDDQ-DV scale. Totally, 42 (13.3%) were diagnosed with BDD. BDD was found more in adolescents younger, unemployed, females, with a family history of psychiatric illness and in the urban population. Among 42 BDD patients, 23 had generalized anxiety disorder, 15 had major depressive disorder, and 7 had combined features of both. Among BDD patients, we found that significantly more younger patients had general anxiety disorder (p < 0.05) and significantly more older patients had major depressive disorder (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of BDD was 13.3%. Among BDD patients, psychiatric comorbidities were also observed. Dermatologists and mental health professionals should work together to prompt diagnosis and timely referral to a psychiatric facility for proper management and evaluation of psychiatric comorbidities.