Evaluation of Serum Cardiac Troponin 1 And N- Terminal Pro-B-Type Natrieutic Peptide Levels in Patients with Vitiligo.

Background: Vitiligo is an autoimmune depigmenting disorder, increasingly recognized for its systemic implications, particularly in cardiovascular health. Cardiac biomarkers, including Cardiac Troponin-I (cTnI) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), are linked to systemic inflammation and heart failure. Recent studies suggest a potential association between these markers and vitiligo. Objectives: To assess serum levels of NT-proBNP and cTnI in patients with vitiligo, focusing on their relationship with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and disease severity. Methods: A total of 40 vitiligo patients and 40 healthy individuals, matched for age and sex, were enrolled in this case-control study. Participants were selected from Benha University Hospitals' outpatient clinics within the Dermatology, Venereology, and Andrology Department. Patients were stratified according to MetS diagnosis. Serum NT-proBNP and cTnI concentrations were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Significant differences were found in cTnI and NT-proBNP levels between the groups, with the highest levels in the vitiligo with MetS group (cTnI: 1985 ng/L, NT-proBNP: 10.48ng/L). Both markers showed significant correlations with disease duration and VASI scores (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified cTnI and NT-proBNP as significant predictors for vitiligo severity (p < 0.001). ROC analysis indicated excellent diagnostic accuracy for both biomarkers (cTnI AUC: 0.956, NT-proBNP AUC: 0.888).Conclusion: Substantially higher levels of cTnI and NT-proBNP were observed in relation to vitiligo severity, particularly among patients with MetS. These biomarkers may reflect the systemic involvement of vitiligo and suggest an underlying cardiovascular risk.