Abstract: Objective: To investigate the treatment and therapeutic effects, as well as the cognition of vitiligo patients on disease management during the COVID-19 outbreak and the impact of the COVID-19 vaccine on vitiligo patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was applied to conduct a web-based questionnaire study of vitiligo patients by convenience sampling, and differences between groups were compared using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact probability method. Results: Of the 142 participants in our study, 69 (48.6%) were males and 73 (51.4%) were females, the average age was (36.1±10.9) years. The treatment of patients was the same as before the outbreak of COVID-19 in Xi'an. 81 patients (57.0%) experienced an interruption of treatment or discontinuation of medication for at least one week during the epidemic period. Compared with the unaffected group (16.4%，10/61), the progression or relapse rate of lesions in the interrupted treatment group (34.6%，28/81) was significantly higher (χ2=12.228, P=0.005). 7.9% (3/38) and 10.5% (4/38) of patients from Xi'an purchased vitiligo-related drugs through “going out by themselves” and “online pharmacies” respectively. The depigmented macules enlarged in 35 (28.9%) patients within one month after vaccination, and 21 (60.0%) of them thought that the the COVID-19 vaccine aggravated the disease. Conclusion: The prevalence of COVID-19 affects the disease management of patients with vitiligo. It is recommended that dermatologists should make optimal treatment decisions according to the change of the epidemic situation and the patient's condition, and actively conduct relevant health education.

Key words: COVID-19, vitiligo, disease management, cross-sectional study