Profile of vitiligo in farwaniya region in kuwait

ABSTRACT

Vitiligo is common worldwide. However, there are few studies available on pattern and epidemiology of vitiligo from the Gulf countries, including Kuwait. To determine the clinical patterns of Vitiligo, the associated socio-demographic factors and its associated disorders among patients attending dermatology outpatient department of Farwaniya hospital in the central region of Kuwait.Materials and methods: All patients presenting with signs and symptoms suggestive of vitiligo seen over a period of one-year [from July 2003 to June 2004] at the out-patient clinics in the Dermatology Department of Farwaniya Hospital and two affiliated dermatology clinics in Kuwait were included in the study. Socio-demographic details about age, sex, marital status, education, occupation, and nationality were recorded on a proforma. A detailed clinical history pertaining to the presenting complaint and clinical examination findings were noted on the same proforma. Relevant available investigations were carried out in all the patients depending on their signs and symptoms to determine any associated disorders with vitiligo Four hundred and forty-eight adult patients, 76 adolescents and 88 children with vitiligo were studied. Males constituted 257 [42%] patients and females 355 [5S%] of the total number of patients. Duration of disease at the time of presentation ranged from two weeks to 12 years. The lower limb was the initial site of onset of vitiligo in majority [32.19%] of the patients, followed by the upper limbs, head and neck, trunk and mucosae in decreasing order of frequency. The commonest clinical pattern observed was vitiligo vulgaris followed by focal, acrofacial, mucosal, segmental and universal types. Lesions showing leukotrichia were observed in 144 [23.53%] patients and koebnerization was observed in 141 [23%] patients. Seven child patients with halo nevi were seen. Associated abnormalities included atopic dermatitis [49 patients], alopecia areata [21 patients], psoriasis [2 patients], diabetes mellitus [9 patients] and 13 patients showed anti-thyroid antibodies. A positive family history was obtained in 8.98% of the patients. Vitiligo vulgaris is the most common clinical-type skin disorder observed in Kuwait. There were associated disorders/abnormalities in some patients such as atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, psoriasis, and diabetes mellitus. Keeping in view the observation of anti-thyroid antibodies in some of these patients we suggest that patients having these antibodies should be followed up for the possible development of clinical thyroid dysfunction