News - 02 Apr `24Vitiligo: A Silent Struggle

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A recent study "Burden of Disease and Treatment Patterns Amongst Patients With Vitiligo: Findings From a National, Longitudinal Retrospective Study in the United Kingdom" has shone a light on vitiligo.

It found that in 2021, about 0.38% of people had vitiligo, but in 2019, a staggering 85% of those with the condition hadn't received any form of treatment. Even when treatments were prescribed, patients often waited an average of 34 months after diagnosis before starting. The treatments they did receive usually involved creams or oral medications aimed at reducing inflammation and immune system activity.

The study also revealed that mental health issues, like depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, were quite common among people with vitiligo, affecting around 24.6% of patients. Interestingly, white patients reported these problems more frequently than those of Black, Asian, or other ethnic backgrounds. In the year following their vitiligo diagnosis, nearly 17% of new patients were treated with medications for anxiety or depression.

This research suggests that vitiligo is often not taken as seriously as it should be, with many patients not receiving timely treatments. This could be because the treatments available today don't always work well. It highlights a significant gap in care and support for those with vitiligo, emphasizing the need for better treatments and a more proactive approach to this skin condition and its psychological impacts.

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