Vitiligo and associated autoimmune disorders: a retrospective hospital-based study in Mumbai, India

Abstract

Background: It is a hospital based study focusing on epidemiological aspects of vitiligo and association with autoimmune disorders. There are few studies elucidating the association of autoimmune disorders with vitiligo in the Indian population. Our study is a small attempt in this direction.

Aim: To study epidemiological parameters of vitiligo and to study coexistence of autoimmune disorders.

Materials and methods: Records of 33,252 new patients attending the dermatology outpatient department from June 2002 to June 2008 were analysed for the presence of vitiligo and details of important epidemiological variables, and associated autoimmune disorders of these patients were collected and analysed.

Results: Total number of vitiligo patients was 204. Proportion of vitiligo patients was 0.61%. Male:female proportion was almost equal. Family history of vitiligo was seen in 3.43% of cases. Associated autoimmune disorders were seen in 2.94% cases and were mainly skin associated autoimmune diseases (morphoea, alopecia areata, discoid lupus erythematosus, and pemphigus erythematosus) except for one case of Grave's disease.

Conclusion: Association of vitiligo with other autoimmune diseases emphasizes autoimmune aetiology of vitiligo. This study also emphasizes the need to actively look for, and if necessary, investigate patients with vitiligo for other autoimmune diseases.