Vitiligo: Quality of Life in Immunocompromised Patients

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentation disorder marked by the autoimmune destruction of melanocytes. The disorder is highly genetic in origin, and poses risk for later development of other autoimmune diseases. Vitiligo is characterized by segmental and non-segmental forms, and involves the appearance of white macules spread throughout the skin. This disorder affects males and females equally, and has a worldwide prevalence of 1%. While it does not directly affect mortality, it can lead to a myriad of psychosocial disorders, the most common of which are anxiety, major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, bipolar, and schizophrenia. Screening tools such as the Short Form-26, Skindex-29, and the Vitiligo Impact Scale-22 have demonstrated considerable value in determining the rate of mental health disorders in this patient population. Therefore, the aim of this review is to examine how one’s quality of life (QOL) is impacted by this condition, and the measures clinicians can take to better understand their patients as they navigate the course of their illness.