Post-COVID pigment loss: the connection between vitiligo and the pandemic

Abstract

Introduction Vitiligo is an acquired disorder characterized by the progressive loss of functional melanocytes, resulting in depigmented macules and patches on the skin. It affects a significant portion of the world’s population, with no specific gender or geographic predilection. Aim To explore the current understanding of the association between vitiligo and COVID-19. Material and methods This is a cross-sectional comparative research of 90 vitiligo patients, separated into two groups: those with COVID-19 confirmed by PCR and those without, gathered in 2018 before the pandemic. Al-Sadar teaching hospital in Al Basra gathered data from March 2021 to May 2022. Vitiligo patients with other infections were excluded. Wood’s test was used to confirm vitiligo (VASI score). Age, gender, site of vitiligo, number of lesions, and family history were gathered for all patients in both groups. Results Patients with vitiligo and COVID-19 had mild (70.27%), moderate (18.92%), and severe (10.81%) infections. Significant differences were found in age, duration, and VASI score, with younger patients and lower VASI scores in the Vitiligo + COVID-19 group. Females (60.6%) were more affected, and lower limbs (66.7%) were the most common site of vitiligo lesions in COVID-19 patients. Conclusions 70.27% of vitiligo and COVID-19 patients had mild infections, 18.92% had moderate infections, and 10.81% had severe infections. Patients with both disorders were younger, had shorter vitiligo durations, and lower VASI scores than those with just one. Females were more likely to have both disorders, and lower limb vitiligo was more prevalent. Family history did not affect either group.