Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of stretch marks on the quality of life (QOL) of pregnant women or those who have ever been pregnant in Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on women in Saudi Arabia who experienced pregnancy and suffered from stretch marks. The study was conducted between February and March 2024 using an online questionnaire that gathered data on demographic characteristics, pregnancy history, and QOL assessment.
Results: The study surveyed 380 women with pregnancy and stretch marks and found that 60.5% had stretch marks before pregnancy, 51.3% had tried preventive methods, and 61.6% had a family history of stretch marks. The most common stretch marks were the bellies (74.2%) and thighs (50.8%). The median QOL score for women with stretch marks was 17.5, with higher scores among those aged 40 years. Arabs and pregnant women in their first trimester had higher QOL scores. The QOL score was significantly associated with the location of stretch marks, and those with a family history of stretch marks had higher scores.
Conclusion: Satisfactory QOL was observed among women with stretch marks. However, several factors affect QOL including age, ethnicity, multiple pregnancies, type, and location of stretch marks, family history, and cause of stretch marks. These findings highlighted the need for interventions to improve the well-being of women with stretch marks.
Key words: Striae gravidarum, quality of life, pregnancy, women, Saudi Arabia
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