Insulin resistance is increased in patients with vitiligo

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between vitiligo and insulin resistance (IR). A total of 96 subjects were included in the study; 57 patients with vitiligo and 39 subjects in an age and a body mass index-matched control group. In fasting blood samples, insulin, C-peptide, glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured. IR was calculated with the homeostasis model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR) method. Comparison of the vitiligo and the control groups revealed that patients with vitiligo had higher IR (2.3 vs. 2.0, p < 0.01), higher insulin and C-peptide levels (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively), higher LDL/HDL ratio and lower HDL-C levels (p < 0.01, p < 0.0001, respectively). Systolic blood pressures of patients with vitiligo were also higher compared with control subjects (p < 0.01). Further experimental and clinical studies are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying this association.