[Comparison of clinical features and disease-related factors in vitiligo patients between 2001-2011 and 2022-2024]

Objective: Comparison of the epidemiological profile, clinical characteristics, and disease-related factors in vitiligo patients between 2001-2011 and 2022-2024. Methods: Clinical data from the inital visits of patients diagnosed with vitiligo at the Dermatology Department of Xijing Hospital were retrospectively collected during the periods of 2001-2011 and 2022-2024. The distribution of demographic and clinical characteristics, including age at the first visit, onset age, and disease duration, were compared between the 2001-2011 group and the 2022-2024 group. Results: The 2001-2011 group included 8 053 patients (4 284 males and 3 769 females), while the 2022-2024 group included 1 041 patients (581 males and 460 females). No significant difference was found in the gender distribution between the two groups (P=0.119). Compared to the 2001-2011 group, the 2022-2024 group was significantly older at the first visit [median 29 (IQR 16-39) years vs 21 (11-31) years] and at onset [22 (11-33) years vs 17 (9-26) years], with a higher proportion of patients with disease onset at ≥50 years of age [7.5% (78/1 041) vs 3.8% (305/8 053)]. The proportion of mild cases was significantly increased in 2022-2024 group [73.8% (768/1 041) vs 66.3% (5 341/8 053)], while the proportion of extremely severe cases was lower [0.4% (4/1 041) vs 1.9% (157/8 053)] (all P<0.05). Additionally, the 2022-2024 group showed a higher proportion of cases with onset in winter [14.2% (148/1 041) vs 4.4% (353/8 053)] and a lower proportion with onset in summer [15.3% (159/1 041) vs 18.6% (1 495/8 053)] (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Compared with the 2001-2011 period, patients in the 2022-2024 period exhibit important shifts in disease characteristics, including an older age at onset and a higher propensity for onset in winter.