Levels of some autoantibodies in vitiligo patients: A case-control study

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is a type of autoimmune disease (AID) of the skin that is acquired and characterized by loss of melanocytes. The precise cause of vitiligo is still not well-identified. Autoimmune theory is the most supported by reliable laboratory and clinical data, particularly for non-segmental vitiligo (NSV).
Objective: This study aimed to compare the levels of circulating autoantibodies namely anti-thyroperoxidase Ab (antiTPO), anti-melanocyte Ab (AMA), anti-nuclear Ab (ANA), in the sera of vitiligo patients versus controls.
Patients and Methods: This was a case-control study enrolled 50 vitiligo cases and40 healthy with matched age and sex as control group. The degree of vitiligo was assessed using the vitiligo area severity index (VASI) score. All patients and controls had laboratory test for measurement of anti-thyroperoxidase Ab, anti-melanocyte Ab and anti-nuclear Ab by ELISA kits. Results: There were significantly higher median levels of anti-TPO Ab, AMA and ANA compared to the control group. There were no significant differences in anti-TPO Ab levels, AMA levels and ANA levels based on gender, smoking status, and family history. There was a significant positive relationship between levels of anti-TPO Ab, AMA and ANA and the VASI score.
Conclusion: There was a potential relationship between anti-TPO Ab levels, AMA levels & ANA levels and disease severity. These results suggest that higher levels of these antibodies are associated with increased disease severity (assessed by VASI) in vitiligo patients.