Assessment of the Association Between Vitiligo and Autoimmune Thyroiditis Based on a Cross-Sectional Study

One of the most common comorbid conditions associated with vitiligo is autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). However, the prevalence of AIT among patients with vitiligo varies significantly across different studies. Objective. The study aimed to investigate the frequency of AIT in patients with vitiligo attending outpatient clinics and to explore possible associations between AIT and clinical and anamnestic indicators. Material and methods. The study involved 85 patients (mean age 28 years): 53 adults and 32 children. A dermatologist and an endocrinologist examined all patients. The assessment included blood tests to determine the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free T4, antibodies to thyroid peroxidase (TPO), and thyroglobulin (TG). Additionally, thyroid ultrasound examinations were performed. MS Excel and SPSS 13.0 for Windows were utilized for database management and statistical analysis. Results. AIT was identified in 22 out of 85 patients (25.9%), including 18 adults and 4 children: 21 patients had non-segmental vitiligo, and one had segmental vitiligo. The prevalence of AIT in vitiligo patients significantly exceeded the occurrence of thyroiditis in the general population of the Russian Federation (Ye.A. Troshina et al., 2021): odds ratio (OR) 81.24 (95% CI 47.59—130.64) (p<0.001). In 9 patients (40.9%), vitiligo appeared 1—17 years before the onset of AIT. In both the overall group, including adults and children, and the adult-only group, AIT was associated with A later age of vitiligo onset (p<0.001 and p=0.005, respectively) and a more frequent family history of AIT (p=0.008 and p=0.014, respectively). Conclusion. The prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) in vitiligo patients attending outpatient clinics significantly exceeds the occurrence of thyroiditis in the general population of the Russian Federation. In nearly half of the patients, the onset of vitiligo preceded the development of thyroiditis. AIT was statistically significantly associated with an older age of vitiligo onset and a more frequent family history of AIT. These findings highlight the need to develop recommendations for thyroid function screening in vitiligo patients and guidelines for monitoring them to ensure early detection of endocrine disorders. © 2024, Media Sphera Publishing Group. All rights reserved.