A Study of Certain Contributory Factors in the Development of Vitiligo in South Indian Patients

Abstract

Introduction Vitiligo is a disorder of pigmentation which has baffled the medical world for centuries. It should be differentiated from the more inclusive descriptive term leukoderma, which may also include depigmentations due to obvious local causes, such as burns or wounds, chronic eczematous conditions, psoriasis, leprosy, or syphilitic leukomelanoderma. Although there is no restriction of physical endurance, work capacity, or life expectancy, vitiligo patients frequently suffer from severe psychological trauma because of the disfiguration of unsightly white patches, especially if these occur on exposed areas of the face or extremities. From my observations on 410 cases of vitiligo seen over a period of three years in the Dermatology Clinic, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, South India, I have been impressed by the variability in distribution of lesions, type of lesions, course of the disease, and particularly in response to treatment. Although the pso