Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Vitiligo Patients and Its Relation to Vitiligo Severity – A Cross-Sectional Study

Dear Editor, We read the distinguished research released in the July–August 2024 issue of the Indian Dermatology Online Journal. Bathina et al.[1] estimated in a case-control study metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence among vitiligo Indian patients and evaluated the correlation between MetS and the severity and progression of vitiligo. On using Harmonization Asian MetS criteria, Bathina et al.[1] pointed to greater MetS prevalence in vitiligo patients (36%) than in controls (24.2%) (P = 0.015). The greatest MetS prevalence was noticed in patients with vitiligo vulgaris type (48.9%), followed by lip tip vitiligo (28.6%), and no MetS was found in patients with segmental or facial vitiligo. Moreover, MetS prevalence was more prevalent in patients with high vitiligo area severity index (VASI) (52.3%) and vitiligo disease activity (VIDA) (45%) scores in comparison with patients with low VASI (27.3%) and VIDA (25%) scores.[1] Bathina et al.[1] mentioned the important limitation of a cross-sectional hospital-based study and controls were not recruited from the general population. The following limitation is additionally a note of worth. Apart from Harmonization Asian MetS criteria, there are many MetS definitions criteria, notably the International Diabetes Federation, the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel, the World Health Organization, and the American Heart Association. Anecdotal studies have depicted that various MetS definitions did not categorize the same individuals as having MetS and the prevalence differed substantially on using these diagnostic tools.[2-4] As a result, many populations have derived their MetS definition elements. Interestingly, India derived the diagnostic MetS components in 2016 for use in clinical setups and research.[5] It is solicited that by using the local MetS criteria in the study methodology, Bathina et al.[1] would provide valuable information on the prevalence of MetS in vitiligo patients and its relationship to the severity and progression of vitiligo. Given that the research population’s estimated MetS prevalence was substantial (36%),[1] practicing dermatologists are encouraged to take MetS into account while treating and monitoring patients with vitiligo to reduce the likelihood of developing serious MetS effects in the future. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.