title: A Clinical Study of Vitiligo in a Rural Set up of Gujarat.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentary condition caused by inactivation or destruction of melanocytes in epidermis and hair follicle. Worldwide incidence of 1% has been reported; similar to various dermatological clinics in India. Widespread prejudice, ignorance, taboos, lack of scientific appraisal, and confusion of vitiligo with leprosy makes it an immense psychological stress.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To know the clinical profile of vitiligo patient with associated cofactors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total 1,010 patients of vitiligo attended in outpatient department at Shree Krishna Hospital (SKH) and Matar camp, Gujarat over 1 year period from August 2011 to July 2012 were included in this study. Detail history and clinical examination of patients were done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 1,010 patients 57.3% were females and 42.7 % were males. Most cases developed vitiligo by 2(nd) decade of life. Progressive course was found in 60.9 % of patients. Vitiligo vulgaris (57.8%) was most common morphological type. Most common site of onset (41.5%) and involvement (75.7%) was lower limb. Family history was present in 20.4%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitiligo constitutes important dermatological disease especially in India. The data suggest that local epidemiological behavior of vitiligo need not be the same across different regions. Vitiligo differs substantially in various clinical aspects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases, Pramukh Swami Medical College, Karamsad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Rita V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Vora
authors.affiliation: Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases, Pramukh Swami Medical College, Karamsad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Bhumi B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases, Pramukh Swami Medical College, Karamsad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Arvind H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Chaudhary
authors.affiliation: Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases, Pramukh Swami Medical College, Karamsad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Malay J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.affiliation: Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases, Pramukh Swami Medical College, Karamsad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Abhishek P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Pilani
keywords: Clinical study; Gujarat; clinico-epidemiology; vitiligo