Prevalence and Risk Factors of Vitiligo in an Outpatient Dermatology Setting

Background: Vitiligo is a chronic pigmentary disorder with multifactorial etiology, marked by the loss of melanocytes, leading to white patches on the skin.Understanding its prevalence and risk factors in outpatient settings can facilitate early detection and management. Materials and methods:A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Dermatology Outpatient Department.All consenting patients aged ≥5 years were screened for vitiligo through clinical examination, with Wood's lamp confirmation when necessary.Data regarding sociodemographics, clinical history, and potential risk factors were collected using a structured questionnaire.To analyze risk factors, a matched case-control design was employed, matching participants in a 1:1 ratio based on age and sex.Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.Results: Out of 450 participants, 34 were diagnosed with vitiligo, resulting in a prevalence rate of 7.6% (95% CI: 5.2-10.5).The average age of those affected was 28.6 ± 15.2 years, and 55.9% of the cases were female.The most common clinical forms observed were generalized vitiligo (35.3%) and acrofacial vitiligo (26.5%).Notably, 61.8% of cases had disease onset before the age of 20.The Koebner phenomenon and leucotrichia were reported in 23.5% and 29.4% of patients, respectively.A family history of vitiligo emerged as the sole significant independent risk factor [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 4.12; 95% CI: 1.01-16.8;p = 0.048].Other factors examined, including autoimmune comorbidity, severe sunburn, exposure to occupational chemicals, and recent stress, did not demonstrate significant associations.Additionally, laboratory parameters such as hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, and thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH) levels did not show significant differences between cases and controls. Conclusion:The prevalence of vitiligo in this outpatient cohort was 7.6%, with most cases beginning before reaching adulthood.Genetic predisposition seems to play a primary role, while other potential triggers need further investigation.