title: Vitiligo-epidemiological study of 4134 patients at the National Center for Vitiligo and Psoriasis in Central Saudi Arabia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the clinical patterns, epidemiological profile of vitiligo, and its awareness among Saudi nationals.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was conducted among Saudi nationals with a confirmed diagnosis of vitiligo  presenting to the National Center for Vitiligo and Psoriasis, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from August 2002 to August 2006 using a retrospective questionnaire based on the history and medical records of patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 4134 cases, 53.5% were females. The mean age of onset of vitiligo was 17.4 years. Vitiligo vulgaris was the most common type in 42.3% of cases, 90.5% had no associated autoimmune conditions. The family history was positive in 42.8%. Twenty-nine percent developed depigmentation on multiple sites, and 68.2% over exposed areas. Nearly 1912 (46.2%) were not aware of its cause, and 2682 (64.9%) were unaware of aggravating factors. Stress as an aggravating factor was considered by 15.1%. Herbal treatments were considered very effective by 45.8%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitiligo is affecting Saudi women more than men with an early age of onset. Vitiligo vulgaris being the most prevalent form with a high rate of positive family history and low rate of associated autoimmune diseases. Knowledge of genetic and environmental factors affecting vitiligo is poorly conveyed and explored.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology National Center for Vitiligo and Psoriasis, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alissa
authors.forename: Abdulla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al Eisa
authors.forename: Rozeena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huma
authors.forename: Sajeev
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mulekar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001364:Awareness; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult