individuals with Vitiligo have elevated Cardiovascular Risk, reveals research

Vitiligo is a chronic, multifactorial, autoimmune disease affecting
many individuals worldwide. It is characterized by the presence of hypopigmented
areas on the skin and occurs due to the destruction of melanocytes. Vitiligo individuals
suffer from various systemic disease conditions. Literature shows that
cardiovascular diseases are also prevalent in vitiligo-affected individuals but
the results are ambiguous. Hence, researchers conducted a retrospective
analysis to determine the cardiovascular disease risk in patients with vitiligo.

By using the US Collaborative Network using the TriNetX
platform, retrospective data was retrieved from electronic health records
(EHRs) from 57 US-based healthcare organizations (HCOs). Patients with vitiligo
and controls were identified by their respective ICD10 codes and the risk of
onset of several cardiovascular diseases was determined in patients within 15
years after diagnoses.

Findings:

• About 94 diagnoses with a prevalence of ≥1% in
  both cohorts were identified.
• By propensity score matching nearly 96,581
  individuals per group, were identified.
• Among them, 54 displayed an increased risk of
  vitiligo.
• Cardiovascular diseases investigated were not associated
  with a decreased risk in patients with vitiligo.
• It was found that cerebral infarction occurred
  in 1.3% of patients with vitiligo, and 1.0% in controls.
• Venous thromboembolism was recorded in 1.34% of
  cases and 1.02% of controls without vitiligo.
• an increased risk of ischemic heart diseases
  including angina pectoris and acute and old myocardial infarction in vitiligo
  was found.
• Further sensitivity analysis revealed that major
  adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a composite endpoint have increased
  following a vitiligo diagnosis.

Thus, the study concluded that there is an increased risk of
cardiovascular diseases in vitiligo individuals when compared to healthy
controls. The researchers also suggested precise monitoring of vitiligo and
their systemic management.

Further reading:

Frączek A, Owczarczyk-Saczonek A, Ludwig RJ, et al. Vitiligo
is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases: a large-scale,
propensity-matched, US-based retrospective study. EBioMedicine.
Published online October 25, 2024. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105423.

Take home points:

• Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder.
• Research on autoimmune diseases showed an
  increased risk of cardiovascular diseases
• The study found a statistically increased risk
  of 54 cardiovascular diseases.
• Heart conduction disorders, diseases of
  arteries, arterioles, and capillaries, and heart valve diseases along with MACE,
  and venous thromboembolism are seen in vitiligo individuals.
• Routine monitoring and prophylaxis should always
  be considered while screening individuals with Vitiligo