Vitiligo and Cardiovascular Disease Risk

A new study found that vitiligo is associated with a significant risk of cardiovascular diseases compared to healthy individuals. The study results were published in the journal eBioMedicine.

Vitiligo is a chronic, multifactorial, autoimmune disease affecting many individuals worldwide. It is characterized by the presence of hypopigmented areas on the skin and occurs due to the destruction of melanocytes. Vitiligo individuals suffer from various systemic disease conditions. Literature shows that cardiovascular diseases are also prevalent in vitiligo-affected individuals but the results are ambiguous. Hence, researchers conducted a retrospective analysis to determine the cardiovascular disease risk in patients with vitiligo.

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By using the US Collaborative Network using the TriNetX platform, retrospective data was retrieved from electronic health records (EHRs) from 57 US-based healthcare organizations (HCOs). Patients with vitiligo and controls were identified by their respective ICD10 codes and the risk of onset of several cardiovascular diseases was determined in patients within 15 years after diagnoses.

Findings:

• About 94 diagnoses with a prevalence of ≥1% in both cohorts were identified.
• By propensity score matching nearly 96,581 individuals per group, were identified.
• Among them, 54 displayed an increased risk of vitiligo.
• Cardiovascular diseases investigated were not associated with a decreased risk in patients with vitiligo.
• It was found that cerebral infarction occurred in 1.3% of patients with vitiligo, and 1.0% in controls.
• Venous thromboembolism was recorded in 1.34% of cases and 1.02% of controls without vitiligo.
• An increased risk of ischemic heart diseases including angina pectoris and acute and old myocardial infarction in vitiligo was found.
• Further sensitivity analysis revealed that major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a composite endpoint have increased following a vitiligo diagnosis.

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Thus, the study concluded that there is an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases in vitiligo individuals when compared to healthy controls. The researchers also suggested precise monitoring of vitiligo and their systemic management.

Further reading:

Frączek A, Owczarczyk-Saczonek A, Ludwig RJ, et al. Vitiligo is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases: a large-scale, propensity-matched, US-based retrospective study. eBioMedicine. Published online October 25, 2024. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105423.

Take home points:

• Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder.
• Research on autoimmune diseases showed an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
• The study found a statistically increased risk of 54 cardiovascular diseases.
• Heart conduction disorders, diseases of arteries, arterioles, and capillaries, and heart valve diseases along with MACE, and venous thromboembolism are seen in vitiligo individuals.
• Routine monitoring and prophylaxis should always be considered while screening individuals with Vitiligo.