Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by the loss of skin pigmentation, resulting in white patches of varying sizes on the body. This occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, which gives skin its color. The condition can affect individuals of any age, gender, or skin tone, and its development is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
How Common is Vitiligo Globally
Vitiligo affects an estimated 0.5% to 2% of the global population, with some researchers placing the prevalence closer to 1%. This translates to nearly 100 million people living with vitiligo worldwide. Determining the exact number of cases can be challenging, as some individuals may not seek a formal diagnosis.
The prevalence of vitiligo shows variations across different geographic regions. A 2024 meta-analysis published in The Lancet, which included 82 studies from 189 countries, revealed that Asia has some of the highest prevalence rates, fluctuating between 0.2% and 2%. India, in particular, has reported rates as high as 8.8% in some research, which may be attributed to a greater genetic predisposition and more established detection and study of the condition in that country. High prevalence rates have also been recorded in Eastern Europe, including Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary.
Differences in prevalence can be influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and methodological factors. Genetic variations associated with vitiligo are not uniform globally; some are more common in European populations, while others are more prevalent in regions like China, Japan, or India. Regions with more developed dermatological research and extensive studies involving large populations may also provide more accurate prevalence figures.
In the United States, recent studies estimate the prevalence at 1.11% of the population, encompassing both diagnosed and undiagnosed cases, totaling approximately 3.7 million people. European countries also show varying rates, such as 1.5-1.8% in Europe generally, 1.3-2.4% in the UK, 0.3-1.6% in France, 0.2-3.9% in Italy, 0.6-1.4% in Germany, and 1.5-2.4% in Spain.
Who is Most Affected by Vitiligo
Vitiligo can develop at any age, but it most frequently appears in individuals between 10 and 30 years old. Approximately half of all vitiligo cases develop before the age of 20, and 70-80% develop by age 30. About 25% of cases are observed to start before age 10.
Vitiligo generally affects all genders equally, although some studies have noted slight variations in prevalence rates.
Vitiligo affects people of all ethnic and racial backgrounds. While the white patches may be more noticeable on darker skin tones, the condition impacts all groups similarly. A 2023 study in the United States found varying prevalence rates among different racial and ethnic groups, with Hispanic/Latino patients showing the highest prevalence at 0.29%, and White patients the lowest at 0.13%.
Other Conditions Linked to Vitiligo
Vitiligo is recognized as an autoimmune disease, and there is a statistical association between it and other autoimmune disorders. Approximately 23% of individuals with vitiligo have at least one co-occurring autoimmune condition.
Thyroid diseases, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease, are among the most frequently observed co-occurring conditions, affecting 12.3% of vitiligo patients. Other autoimmune conditions that show increased prevalence in individuals with vitiligo include alopecia areata (3.8%), type 1 diabetes (4.5%), and rheumatoid arthritis (2.8%).
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is also statistically linked, with prevalence rates of 0.3% to 2.5% in vitiligo patients. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, has also been found at a higher frequency among vitiligo patients, with one study reporting 2.3% of vitiligo patients having IBD. Other conditions with reported associations include pernicious anemia, Addison’s disease, Sjögren’s disease, scleroderma, and dermatomyositis.
Prevalence of Vitiligo Types
Vitiligo is broadly categorized into different clinical types, with varying statistical frequencies. Non-segmental vitiligo (NSV), also known as generalized vitiligo, is the most common form, accounting for approximately 85% to 95% of all vitiligo cases. This type is characterized by widespread and randomly distributed areas of depigmentation and tends to progress over time, affecting more of the skin.
Segmental vitiligo (SV) is a less common form, occurring in about 5% to 16% of all vitiligo patients. Unlike NSV, segmental vitiligo typically appears on one side or segment of the body, often following a dermatomal or quasi-dermatomal pattern, and usually does not cross the midline. This type tends to develop at a younger age, with an average onset around 12 years, and often stabilizes within 6 to 12 months after its initial progression.
Other, less common classifications include focal vitiligo, where one or a few scattered macules appear in a single area, most often seen in children. Universal vitiligo represents extreme cases where depigmentation encompasses most of the body, often 80-100% of body surface area. Acrofacial vitiligo specifically affects the fingers and periorificial areas, while mucosal vitiligo involves only the mucous membranes.