Vitiligo is an acquired type of leukoderma characterized by well-circumscribed chalk-white depigmented macules or patches.

Two main clinical categories exist: nonsegmental vitiligo and segmental vitiligo.

Nonsegmental vitiligo can affect any part of the body, but it often involves the face, upper chest, hands, ankles, axillae, groin, and around orifices (eyes, nose, mouth, urethra, and anus), favoring sites of frequent friction or trauma. Distinct patterns include acrofacial involvement (distal extremities and face), focal (localized), generalized (widely distributed), and universal vitiligo (close to 100% of body surface area involved). Nonsegmental vitiligo may coexist with segmental vitiligo. Pure mucosal vitiligo may occur, and mucous membrane involvement is not uncommon in generalized cases.

Vitiligo occurs in equal proportions regardless of sex or race / ethnicity. There is a bimodal pattern of onset, first in childhood and then in adulthood. The adult-onset population accounts for approximately two-thirds of cases and has a mean onset of 34 years. The natural progression of the disease is unpredictable, ranging from insidious to rapid in onset. Years of stable, nonprogressive disease can be observed with the disease subsequently taking an unexpected rapid trajectory.

While the precise etiology of vitiligo remains debated, the leading hypothesis implicates both genetic and environmental factors that lead to an innate immune response resulting in CD8+ T-cell activation, release of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and an associated inflammatory cascade in keratinocytes via the JAK/STAT pathway.

Environmental factors include mechanical trauma and/or exposure to depigmenting agents.

While most vitiligo patients are otherwise healthy, an association with autoimmune thyroid dysfunction (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism) has been demonstrated. In new-onset vitiligo patients with systemic symptoms, thyroid screening with antithyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody and a serum thyrotropin is recommended. Additional associations include endocrinopathies, such as diabetes mellitus (Type 1, Type 2) and Addison disease, along with other autoimmune processes. Rarely, it may exist as part of polyglandular autoimmune syndrome, particularly a type III syndrome (eg, Hashimoto thyroiditis, vitiligo, or alopecia areata and/or another organ-specific autoimmune disease). Vitiligo may accompany halo nevi. New-onset vitiligo may be seen in patients with metastatic melanoma. It can occur spontaneously and may herald metastatic disease, or it can be triggered by immunotherapy such as with BRAF inhibitors or PD-1 inhibitors. In the latter setting, it is considered a good prognostic sign. Rarely, vitiligo may be associated with uveitis.

Related topic: segmental vitiligo