Prevalence of vitiligo among type 2 diabetic patients in an Iranian population

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is one of many diseases that can be found with diabetes mellitus. Diabetic patients have a high incidence of vitiligo compared to the general population. This study assesses prevalence of vitiligo in type 2 diabetic patients in Iran. METHODS: One thousand one hundred type 2 diabetic patients and 1100 healthy adults were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Patients were evaluated for vitiligo by a dermatologist both clinically and by Wood's lamp. Data were analyzed using SPSS. P value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between groups with respect to presence of vitiligo; 4.9% of diabetic patients had vitiligo versus 1.8% of control group (P = 0.001). In the female group with diabetes, 5.8% had vitiligo, and in male diabetic patients, 3.9% had vitiligo (P = 0.057). In the control group, 1.8% of females and 1.8% of males had vitiligo that was equal. CONCLUSION: Vitiligo and diabetes may have a causal relationship. Vitiligo may coexist with type 2 diabetes. Therefore it is reasonable to investigate each patient periodically.