A CASE CONTROL STUDY OF METABOLIC SYNDROME IN VITILIGO PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Vitiligo is a prevalent depigmenting disorder affecting 0.5%–2% of the global population, characterized by the selective loss of melanocytes, leading to chalky-white, non-scaly macules. It is associated with conditions such as thyroid diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. This hospital-based case-control study aimed to evaluate the relationship between vitiligo and metabolic syndrome by analyzing 60 clinically diagnosed vitiligo patients and 60 age- and sex-matched controls without vitiligo. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP III) criteria, and statistical analysis was performed using mean, standard deviation, percentage, and Student's t-test. The study identified metabolic syndrome in 48.3% of vitiligo patients compared to 26.7% of controls (p = 0.014). A longer duration of vitiligo and a higher percentage of affected body surface area were independent predictors of metabolic syndrome. The Vitiligo Area Severity Index (VASI) scores were significantly associated with an increased incidence of metabolic syndrome, affecting 69% of cases (p = 0.0001). While a weak positive correlation was observed between VASI scores and disease duration, it was not statistically significant (correlation coefficient = 0.250, p = 0.054). These findings suggest a strong link between vitiligo severity and metabolic syndrome, emphasizing the need for early metabolic screening in vitiligo patients.