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Stabilizing Progressive Vitiligo with Systemic Treatment: Identifying Factors Associated With Patients Requiring
Ting-Ting Yang1,2, Cheng-Che E Lan2,3
1Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Gangshan Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Dermatology Practical & Conceptual
|November 14, 2025
Summary
Older patients with facial involvement achieve better vitiligo stabilization with systemic immunosuppressants. However, disease reactivation is common, necessitating careful photo documentation for ongoing management.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Systemic immunosuppressants are used to manage active vitiligo.
- Clinical predictors for treatment response in vitiligo are not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify clinical features of vitiligo patients requiring prolonged immunosuppressive therapy.
- To analyze the real-world clinical course of vitiligo under systemic treatment.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective single-center study of actively progressing vitiligo patients (September 2017 - August 2023).
- Categorization of patients based on duration of systemic immunosuppressants and disease reactivation.
Main Results:
- 159 patients analyzed; 63.5% stabilized within 16 weeks (Group 1), 32% required >16 weeks (Group 2), 4.4% relapsed.
- Younger age and lower facial involvement were associated with longer treatment duration (Group 2).
- 10.89% of Group 1 patients experienced reactivation within one year.
Conclusions:
- Older age and facial involvement correlate with successful disease stabilization.
- Disease reactivation post-treatment is frequent, highlighting the need for diligent photographic monitoring in vitiligo management.
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