A Study on Clinical Patterns of Vitiligo and Its Associated Diseases in Patients Attending Dermatology Clinic at a Tertiary Level Care Centre

Abstract

BACKGROUND Vitiligo is a multifactorial depigmenting condition affecting skin and/or mucous membrane. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical patterns of vitiligo and its associated diseases in patients attending a tertiary level care centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study is a retrospective observational study that includes 200 self-reporting patients of age group 4-80 years with vitiligo, who attended Dermatology OPD in Chengalpattu Medical College over a period of one year from October 2015 to September 2016. RESULTS Among various patterns observed, the study obtained the following results overall-vitiligo vulgaris (37%), focal (19%), segmental (16%), mucosal (14%), acrofacial (8%), lip-tip (4%). Among children most common was vitiligo vulgaris (34.4%) followed by segmental pattern (27.5%). Most common systemic association was diabetes (18%) followed by anaemia (14.4%). Most of them were asymptomatic (85%) except for the depigmented patches. Most of the associated systemic and cutaneous diseases were found to be common in patients with vitiligo vulgaris than with any other type of vitiligo. CONCLUSION Irrespective of age, sex and duration of disease, the most common pattern is vitiligo vulgaris. Other patterns observed in decreasing order overall are focal, segmental, mucosal, acrofacial, lip-tip, vitiligo universalis with children showing predilection for segmental vitiligo. Most of the patients presented were asymptomatic except for the depigmented patches with the commonest systemic disease association being diabetes followed by anaemia.