Decoding vitiligo: A review of demography, clinical features and associations at a tertiary care hospital in western Gujarat

• Author Details:   
• Jaskanwal Kaur ^*
• Bhavesh Sonagara
• Vaishali Makwana
• Jubeen Shah
• Aditi Arora

---

Introduction: Vitiligo is a potentially harmless autoimmune skin condition causing white geographic patterns. It is a social taboo especially in India since ancient times. Vitiligo decreases the matrimonial prospects of the affected individuals. There is a variance in prevalence of vitiligo in different populations all over the world, Indian studies found the incidence to be 3-4% throughout India but an epidemic surge of 8.8% in the tropical states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Oxidative stress is another causative factor. Even though extensively studied a lot still remains unknown about this disease. With this study we aim to shed light on some of the demographic, etiological, dietary and associated factors of vitiligo.
Objectives: 1. To determine demographic factors of vitiligo; 2. To describe clinical types of vitiligo; 3. To describe associated factors in patients with vitiligo.
Materials and Methods: All the patients diagnosed with vitiligo coming to the outpatient department (OPD) of the dermatology department of the medical college from 1st September to 31st December 2024 were part of this study. Additionally wood’s lamp and dermoscopy were used to aid diagnosis.
Conclusion: Vitiligo is most frequent disorder in the tropical geographic region of western India in all age groups of both genders. Measures need to be taken to provide affordable and effective management for the patients along with psychological support to the affected individuals. Majority of the patients had dietary restrictions so nutrient deficiencies should be looked into as studies show role of diet in vitiligo. BMI in most of the patient was found to be average or below average so, diet habits seem to have role in vitiligo. Sunscreens should be added to treatment to prevent photo damage in sun exposed skin.

Keywords: Vitiligo, Generalized vitiligo, Acral vitiligo, Focal vitiligo, Mucosal vitiligo, Genital vitiligo, Segmental vitiligo, Non-segmental vitiligo, White patches.