Vitiligo: a hospital-based study in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disease characterized by loss of the pigment producing cells (melanocytes) of the skin, hair and mucous membranes (lips and genitalia), with subsequent development of white patches. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological pattern of vitiligo in Port Harcourt, south-south Nigeria.

Methods: This was a prospective study of 82 cases of vitiligo seen in the dermatological clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria from May 2005 to April 2009. All ages were included in this study. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 15. Descriptive statistics in the form of the frequency and percentage were used. Chi square was used to test relationship between variables. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: There were a total of 1,652 dermatological disorders during the study period. Eighty two patients had vitiligo giving a prevalence of 4.96 %. There were more females 45(54.9%) than males 37(45.1%) giving male: female ratio of 0.8:1. Vitiligo is commoner from the age of 20 years to 30 years (32.9%). The head and neck region was the most common site of onset of the lesion and accounted for 28% of cases. Generalized vitiligo [29(35.4%)] was the most frequently found pattern of distribution. Positive family history was found in 6 cases (7.3%). Eighteen (22.0%) patients suffered from other diseases such as thyroid dysfunction [8(9.8%)], anaemia [4(4.9%)], atopic dermatitis [2(2.4%)], diabetes mellitus [1(1.2%)], anxiety disorder [1(1.2%)], collagen vascular disease [1(1.2%)] and oligomenorrhoea [1(1.2%)].

Conclusion: The pattern of vitiligo seen is similar to that reported from other parts of the world. There is also need to look for associated disorder in any case of vitiligo.

Keywords:  Vitiligo, Associated disorders, Prevalence, Port Harcourt, Nigeria