title: Vitiligo and autoimmunity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitiligo is an acquired skin disorder characterized by depigmented maculae resulting from a reduction of the number and function of melanocytes. The etiopathogenesis of the disease is still unclear, but there is evidence that autoimmunity may be involved.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and significance of antinuclear (ANA) and thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies in patients with vitiligo and control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective case-control study, we compared the frequency of antibodies (ANA and anti-TPO) in 40 patients with vitiligo and in 40 healthy volunteers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ANA were positive in 7 (17%) patients, which was insignificantly higher than control group, 2 (5%). Anti-TPO were positive in 11 (27%) patients. In control group, only two subjects (5%) had positive anti-TPO. Compared with the control group, the frequency anti-TPO were significantly higher in those with vitiligo (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings show a significant association between vitiligo and thyroid autoimmunity, and that tests to detect anti-TPO are useful markers in patients with vitiligo. In contrary, ANA seems to have limited diagnostic relevance in routine clinical practice. Additional studies of a wider sample are warranted to confirm these findings and allow a detailed analysis.
authors: Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Sarajevo University Clinical Center, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. kasumagicemina@yahoo.com
authors: Emina
authors: E
authors: Kasumagic-Halilovic
authors: Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Sarajevo University Clinical Center, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors: Nermina
authors: N
authors: Ovcina-Kurtovic
authors: Department of Biomedicine and Health, Medical Faculty, Osijek University, Osijek, Croatia.
authors: Tomica
authors: T
authors: Jukic
authors: Institute of Clinical Immunology, Sarajevo University Clinical Center, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors: Jasenko
authors: J
authors: Karamehic
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Sarajevo University Clinical Center, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors: Begler
authors: B
authors: Begovic
authors: General Hospital Prom. dr. Abdulah Nakas, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors: Sladjana
authors: S
authors: Samardzic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015551:Autoimmunity; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology*; D033862:Iron-Binding Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000276:immunology; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001324:Autoantigens; D015415:Biomarkers; D033862:Iron-Binding Proteins; C056658:TPO protein, human; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase