Hubungan Kadar Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Serum dengan Derajat Keparahan Melasma

Abstract

Background: Melasma, also known as chloasma or “mask of pregnancy”, is one of the most common pigmentation problems. It has been reported that some patients experience the development of melasma lesions or pressure lesions after experiencing stress which causes anxiety and depression. Melasma is thought to have a relationship with levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is one of the factors involved in the process of melanogenesis and plays a role in the pathogenesis of depression, where depression also plays a role in the pathogenesis of melasma. Objective: To determine the relationship between BDNF levels with the severity of melasma. Subjects and Methods: This research is a cross-sectional study with a consecutive sampling method. The research subjects were obtained from the Dermatology and Venereology Polyclinic at Prof. dr. Chairuddin Panusunan Lubis Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital (Prof. dr. CPL USU Hospital) Medan from May to December 2022. The study variables consisted of serum BDNF levels and the severity of melasma. Data analysis used the Kruskal Wallis test. The study was conducted after obtaining approval from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara. Results: A total of 30 patients were enrolled in this study, the majority of patients had the characteristics of the age group of 36–45 years with an average age of 46,20 years and work as a housewife. The highest risk factor is sun exposure. The melasma pattern is dominated by centrofacial patterns, the majority of melasma types are epidermal types, and the most severe degree is moderate. There is a moderate negative correlation between BDNF levels and the duration of melasma (p = 0.007; r = -0.485). Meanwhile, there was no significant relationship between BDNF levels and melasma severity (p = 0.387). Conclusion: There is no significant relationship between BDNF levels and the severity of melasma.