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Publication
Vitiligo is a disease that causes white patches to appear on the skin. The study described here analyzed whether vitiligo is more difficult for people with darker skin. To answer this question, the authors used data from a large patient survey called the VALIANT study. Over 3000 people living with vitiligo from 17 countries responded to the survey, and close to half had darker skin. People with darker skin tended to report that larger areas of their body were covered in white patches, suggesting that people with fairer skin may underestimate the extent of their vitiligo. In addition, people with darker skin reported a worse effect on their daily life than those with fairer skin; were more likely to be discouraged and worried about their disease spreading; and were more likely to feel that their vitiligo affected what clothes they wore or what activities they participated in. People with darker skin reported more difficulty with their careers and were more likely to be anxious or depressed. Even among people with darker skin (three types), effects of vitiligo were worst among those with the darkest skin. These results show that vitiligo is a difficult disease for all people living with vitiligo, but the burden is most amplified among people with darker skin.
Pearl Grimes, Iltefat H. Hamzavi, Kristen Bibeau, John E. Harris, Nanja van Geel, Davinder Parsad, Jackie Gardner, Yan Valle, Gaone Tlhong Matewa, Jessy Gao, Haobo Ren & Khaled Ezzedine
FAQOther Questions
- Isn't it just a cosmetic disorder?
Contrary to popular belief, vitiligo is not merely a cosmetic issue but a complex autoimmune disorder that affects the body’s largest organ—along with other vital systems—and is...
- Which diseases most commonly accompany vitiligo?
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease and is frequently associated with other autoimmune diseases, acccording to a 10-year study. The exact diseases that accompany vitiligo can vary...
- Does halo nevi affect vitiligo development?
Halo nevi (also known as Sutton's nevi) are characterized by a mole that's surrounded by a ring of depigmented or lighter skin. While both halo nevi and vitiligo involve the des...
Though it is not always easy to treat vitiligo, there is much to be gained by clearly understanding the diagnosis, the future implications, treatment options and their outcomes.
Many people deal with vitiligo while remaining in the public eye, maintaining a positive outlook, and having a successful career.
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