Vitiligo. What is it? Is it important?

Abstract

Although 1-2% of the general population has vitiligo, the incidence is 8-20% in people with disorders such as hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, adrenal insufficiency, pernicious anemia, certain types of uveitis, including Vogt-Koyanagi and Harada''s syndrome and sympathetic ophthalmia. There is also an intimate relationship between vitiligo and melanomas. Added to all these medical problems is the everincreasing concern with appearance and self-image of those disfigured by uneven color. This review article discusses clinical features and classification, disorders associated with vitiligo and microscopic findings.