Vitiligo clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects

Abstract

Vitiligo is a common depigmenting skin disorder, characterized by the selective loss of melanocytes which results in typical non-scaly, white macules.

Its pathogenesis is still not completely understood, but vitiligo is now considered as an autoimmune skin disease. Indeed, vitiligo could be associated with other autoimmune diseases, including pernicious anemia and alopecia areata.

Clinically, two major forms of vitiligo have been described, namely segmental vitiligo and non-segmental vitiligo, which include several subtypes.

The diagnosis relies on the typical clinical features of the disease, but laboratory controls can be necessary to rule out association with other autoimmune diseases.

The mainstay of vitiligo therapy are topical therapy with corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, while systemic therapies are rarely used.