Vitiligo: Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics in 573 Saudi Patients.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Epidemiology
• Autoimmune Diseases

Background:

• Vitiligo is a prevalent autoimmune condition affecting skin pigmentation.
• Limited research exists on vitiligo's clinical characteristics within Saudi Arabia.
• Recent expert consensus highlights the need for detailed clinical data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To ascertain the prevalence of vitiligo in a Saudi population.
• To detail the clinical characteristics of vitiligo patients in Saudi Arabia.
• To identify associated systemic and dermatological conditions.

Main Methods:

• A six-year cross-sectional study involving electronic identification and manual verification of vitiligo cases.
• Prevalence and sex distribution determined from all identified cases.
• In-depth clinical analysis conducted on 573 patients from a specialized vitiligo clinic.

Main Results:

• Vitiligo prevalence was 0.235%, with females comprising 60.32%.
• Early onset (before age 20) affected 49%, and 42.15% reported a family history.
• Common findings included nonsegmental vitiligo (88%), active disease signs (49%), stress triggers (24%), low vitamin D (majority), and elevated ESR in active cases (70%).

Conclusions:

• Vitiligo prevalence in Saudi Arabia is comparable to global averages.
• A significant proportion of patients have a family history, suggesting genetic predisposition.
• Routine screening for stress triggers, thyroid disease, and vitamin D deficiency is recommended.