Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT177

Introduction: Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by the loss of skin pigmentation. It is frequently associated with other autoimmune diseases, including thyroid dysfunction. The objective of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics of vitiligo in relation to thyroid pathology and to investigate its association with other autoimmune diseases.

Methods: The study included 16 patients diagnosed with vitiligo, comprising 13 women and 3 men. The mean age of onset was 33.54 years, with a range from 15 to 68 years. We reviewed the clinical histories of the patients, specifically focusing on the chronological relationship between the onset of vitiligo and thyroid dysfunction. HLA typing was performed in one patient who had both hyperthyroidism and vitiligo.

Results: Vitiligo was associated with hypothyroidism in 10 cases, hyperthyroidism in 4 cases, and euthyroid-phase thyreopathy in 2 cases. In 10 patients, vitiligo preceded the onset of thyroid dysfunction, with a mean delay of 131.75 months (ranging from 12 to 480 months). In 4 patients, vitiligo followed thyroid dysfunction, with a mean delay of 111 months (ranging from 24 to 192 months). In only one patient, vitiligo and thyroid dysfunction were diagnosed concurrently, while the chronology of disease onset was unknown in one case. HLA typing in one patient with hyperthyroidism and vitiligo revealed the haplotype A2, A white, B17, B white (BW6). In addition to thyroid dysfunction, other autoimmune diseases were observed in these patients. These included type 1 diabetes in three cases, lichen planus in one case, Biermer’s anemia in one case, alopecia universalis in one case, Sjögren’s syndrome in one case, and rheumatoid arthritis in one case.

Discussion: This study highlights the frequent association between vitiligo and thyroid dysfunction. The results suggest a potential bidirectional relationship, with vitiligo either preceding or following thyroid pathology in most cases. The presence of other autoimmune diseases in these patients further supports the autoimmune nature of vitiligo. Additionally, the HLA typing results in one patient point to a possible genetic predisposition for both vitiligo and thyroid dysfunction.

Conclusion: The findings of this study reinforce the association between vitiligo, thyroid dysfunction, and other autoimmune diseases. Clinicians should consider conducting comprehensive evaluations for thyroid and other autoimmune disorders in patients with vitiligo. Further research is needed to explore the genetic, immunological, and environmental factors that contribute to these associations.