Association between vitiligo and risk of retinal detachment: a population-based cohort study in Taiwan

Abstract

Background Vitiligo is reportedly associated with several ocular abnormalities. However, the relationship between vitiligo and retinal detachment (RD) remains unclear. Objective This study examined the risk of RD among vitiligo patients. Patients and Methods A nationwide population-based cohort study was conducted using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database between 2007 and 2018. A total of 21,132 vitiligo patients were 1:4 matched with non-vitiligo patients by age, sex, and propensity score of comorbidities. Cumulative incidence and Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate the risk of RD in vitiligo patients. Subgroup analysis was performed. Results The vitiligo cohort had a significantly higher RD rate than the non-vitiligo cohort (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.20–1.72; P-value <0.001). Vitiligo patients who required treatments such as phototherapy, systemic corticosteroids, or immunosuppressants exhibited an even greater risk (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.16–2.14; P-value 0.004). Conclusion Our study revealed a 1.44-fold increased risk of RD in vitiligo patients with an even higher risk in patients receiving phototherapy, systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressants. The risk remains consistently higher over a 10-year follow-up period.