Support for increased cardiovascular risk in non‐segmental vitiligo among Egyptians: A hospital‐based, case–control study

• Published in: Pigment cell and melanoma research Vol. 34; no. 3; pp. 598 - 604
• Main Authors: Azzazi, Yousra, Mostafa, Wedad Z., Sayed, Khadiga S., Alhelf, Maha, Safwat, Miriam, Mahrous, Ayman, El Lawindi, Mona, Ragab, Nanis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-05-2021
• Subjects: Adult; Antioxidants; Arteriosclerosis; Atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis - epidemiology; Atherosclerosis - etiology; Atherosclerosis - metabolism; Atherosclerosis - pathology; Biomarkers; Biomarkers - metabolism; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - metabolism; Cardiovascular Diseases - pathology; cardiovascular risk; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Case studies; Case-Control Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dyslipidemia; Egypt - epidemiology; Female; Health risks; Heart Disease Risk Factors; Humans; Hydrogen peroxide; Hypercholesterolemia; Lipids; Lipids - analysis; Low density lipoprotein; Male; Malondialdehyde; Metabolic disorders; Oxidative Stress; Patients; Plaques; Risk; Skin diseases; Vitiligo; Vitiligo - complications; Egypt; Vitiligo; carotid intima media thickness; cardiovascular risk; dyslipidemia; oxidative stress
• ISSN: 1755-1471; 1755-148X
• DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12941

Background
Data have been accumulating in the past few years that identify vitiligo as a disorder with systemic implications.
Results and methods
In this hospital‐based, cross‐sectional, case–control study, 50 patients with non‐segmental vitiligo and 50 age‐ and sex‐matched controls underwent analysis of serum lipid profile, oxidative stress biomarkers and carotid duplex. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly higher in patients than controls (p‐value < .001, <.001, respectively); on the other hand, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was significantly lower in patients than controls (p‐value = .001). A significantly higher percentage of patients had hypercholesterolemia and borderline high, high or very high levels of LDL‐C, compared to controls (p‐value = .001 and .001, respectively). Atherosclerotic plaques and increased common carotid intima media thickness were significantly detected in patients versus controls.
Discussion
Results of the present study suggest that a subset of patients with vitiligo are at a higher risk of developing dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis, which might increase their future risk for the development of cardiovascular disease. Confirmation of these findings would subsequently influence investigative and the treatment strategies in the management plan of vitiligo patients in the near future.
Significance
Vitiligo patients might be at a higher risk of developing dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis, which might increase their risk for the development of cardiovascular disease necessitating prophylactic measures to improve prognosis. Our results might influence the investigative and treatment strategies in the management plan of vitiligo patients in the near future.