OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical patterns, epidemiological profile of vitiligo, and its awareness among Saudi nationals. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted among Saudi nationals with a confirmed diagnosis of vitiligo presenting to the National Center for Vitiligo and Psoriasis, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from August 2002 to August 2006 using a retrospective questionnaire based on the history and medical records of patients. RESULTS: Of the 4134 cases, 53.5% were females. The mean age of onset of vitiligo was 17.4 years. Vitiligo vulgaris was the most common type in 42.3% of cases, 90.5% had no associated autoimmune conditions. The family history was positive in 42.8%. Twenty-nine percent developed depigmentation on multiple sites, and 68.2% over exposed areas. Nearly 1912 (46.2%) were not aware of its cause, and 2682 (64.9%) were unaware of aggravating factors. Stress as an aggravating factor was considered by 15.1%. Herbal treatments were considered very effective by 45.8%. CONCLUSION: Vitiligo is affecting Saudi women more than men with an early age of onset. Vitiligo vulgaris being the most prevalent form with a high rate of positive family history and low rate of associated autoimmune diseases. Knowledge of genetic and environmental factors affecting vitiligo is poorly conveyed and explored.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical patterns, epidemiological profile of vitiligo, and its awareness among Saudi nationals. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted among Saudi nationals with a confirmed diagnosis of vitiligo presenting to the National Center for Vitiligo and Psoriasis, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from August 2002 to August 2006 using a retrospective questionnaire based on the history and medical records of patients. RESULTS: Of the 4134 cases, 53.5% were females. The mean age of onset of vitiligo was 17.4 years. Vitiligo vulgaris was the most common type in 42.3% of cases, 90.5% had no associated autoimmune conditions. The family history was positive in 42.8%. Twenty-nine percent developed depigmentation on multiple sites, and 68.2% over exposed areas. Nearly 1912 (46.2%) were not aware of its cause, and 2682 (64.9%) were unaware of aggravating factors. Stress as an aggravating factor was considered by 15.1%. Herbal treatments were considered very effective by 45.8%. CONCLUSION: Vitiligo is affecting Saudi women more than men with an early age of onset. Vitiligo vulgaris being the most prevalent form with a high rate of positive family history and low rate of associated autoimmune diseases. Knowledge of genetic and environmental factors affecting vitiligo is poorly conveyed and explored.
Authors: Ahmad H Mufti; Imad A AlJahdali; Nasser A Elhawary; Samar N Ekram; Iman Abumansour; Ikhlas A Sindi; Hind Naffadi; Ezzeldin N Elhawary; Najiah M Alyamani; Ghydda Alghamdi; Wafaa Alosaimi; Ghufran Rawas; Amaal Alharbi; Mohammed T Tayeb Journal: Int J Gen Med Date: 2021-12-19