Metabolic derangement in patients with vitiligo: a cross-sectional study

Vitiligo is a pigmentary disorder resulting from progressive destruction of melanocytes in the skin. There is a growing body of evidence about higher risk of metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia in some dermatoses including vitiligo. We aimed to evaluate lipid profile, leptin and C reactive protein (CRP) status among Iranian patients with vitiligo, compared with healthy controls and perused the relationship between abnormal values of these parameters with disease duration and physical characteristics of patients. 40 patients with vitiligo and 40 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Data on weight, height, lipid profile, leptin and CRP values were recorded and compared. The mean values for nearly all study parameters (except for high-density lipoprotein) were significantly higher in patients with vitiligo, compared with healthy controls, irrespective of age and sex. We could not find any correlation between vitiligo and study parameters, regarding disease severity and extension of lesions; but in patients who have been suffering from vitiligo for more than 5 years, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and CRP values were noted to be significantly higher (p<0.001, p=0.003 and p=0.03, respectively). In conclusion, screening of patients with vitiligo in regard to their lipid profile as well as blood pressure should be considered, especially in patients with longer disease duration or those who have other cardiovascular risk factors to prevent morbidity and mortality as a result of developing cardiovascular events.