Clin Exp Dermatol. 2023 Jan 19:llad028. doi: 10.1093/ced/llad028. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of vitiligo shows regional variance. Recently, an association between vitiligo and extracutaneous conditions, including other autoimmune, metabolic, and dermatologic disorders, has been suggested. Despite its increasing incidence, the epidemiological trends and comorbidities of vitiligo have rarely been quantified in Asia.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, incidence, and associated disorders of vitiligo using the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database.
METHODS: We included all vitiligo patients, classified by the International Statistical Classification of Disease, 10th revision (ICD-10) code of L80, with ≥3 documented visits from 2003 to 2019. Incidence and prevalence of vitiligo were estimated along the study period. Age, sex-, insurance type-, and income level-matched controls (ratio 1:5) were selected to compare comorbidities. The odds ratios between comorbidities and vitiligo were calculated through conditional logistic regression.
RESULTS: The incidence and annual prevalence of vitiligo in Korea increased from 2003 and 2019, with incidence peaking in summer. Age-specific incidence showed a bimodal distribution, with the steepest increase in the group aged < 20 years. Many comorbidities, including alopecia areata, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, Sjogren’s syndrome, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, chronic hepatitis, anxiety disorder, and mood disorder, showed higher odds ratios in vitiligo patients than controls.
CONCLUSION: The incidence and prevalence of vitiligo are increasing, particularly among younger patients in Korea. In addition, various comorbidities are associated with vitiligo. Therefore, if vitiligo patients present extracutaneous symptoms, physicians should consider the possibility of other comorbid diseases.
PMID:36656897 | DOI:10.1093/ced/llad028
