Vitiligo: a sign of systemic disease.
Vitiligo reflects a systemic process that has important implications beyond the skin. These include other autoimmune diseases and ocular and neurological abnormalities. Alezzandrini syndrome and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome particularly exemplify this relationship. In addition, vitiligo may be confused with other systemic disorders, including tuberous sclerosis, progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), melanoma, and, in endemic regions, leprosy. We describe these associations and emphasize the importance of depigmenting disorders.
Dermatology, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103-2714, USA. hugginri@umdnj.edu
Richard H
RH
Huggins
Christopher A
CA
Janusz
Robert A
RA
Schwartz
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D014402:Tuberous Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000209:etiology*; D014849:Waardenburg Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis