A Study of Serum Levels of Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, and Homocysteine in Vitiligo Patients and Controls Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bengaluru – An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND Vitiligo is a hypopigmentary disease of the skin which is associated with impaired quality of life and depression. In our present study, we evaluated the serum levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folic acid in patients with vitiligo and controls in a tertiary care centre and also their association with the extent and activity of vitiligo. METHODS An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 40 patients with vitiligo and 40 controls visiting a tertiary care centre for a period of one year. Detailed history regarding demographic data, history of disease, family history, duration of the disease etc. was recorded. Vitiligo Disease Activity Score (VIDA SCORE) and vitiligo area scoring index (VASI) of each body region was calculated. After explaining the procedure, fasting (5 ml) blood sample was drawn and the levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folic acid were measured. Data was analysed using SPSS software and P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS There was statistical significance between vitiligo patients and controls of serum vitamin B12, homocysteine and folic acid (P < 0.05) and there was significant association for males in cases and controls (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Vitiligo is associated with elevated levels of serum homocysteine and decreased levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid. KEY WORDS Vitiligo, Homocysteine, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Depigmentation