China Journal of Leprosy and Skin Diseases ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (2): 83-87.doi: 10.12144/zgmfskin202602083

• Original Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Association between vitiligo and metabolic syndrome and its components

HE Yifan, ZHOU Nan, KONG Qingtao, SANG Hong   

  1. Department of Dermatology, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, China
  • Online:2026-02-15 Published:2026-01-28

Abstract: Objective: To compare the differences in metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components between patients with vitiligo and non-vitiligo individuals, and to clarify the correlation between metabolic syndrome and vitiligo. Methods: Non-segmental vitiligo patients aged ≥18 years who attended the department of dermatology of our school from February to November 2022 were assigned to the case group, while non-vitiligo individuals who underwent physical examination at the hospital's health check-up center during the same period were selected as the control group. The levels of body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and the prevalence of MS were compared between the two groups. For the case group, the course of vitiligo, severity score, and disease activity score were investigated to analyze the correlation between vitiligo and metabolic disorders. Results: A total of 72 non-segmental vitiligo patients and 72 controls were included in the study. The BMI, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels, and the prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia in the vitiligo group were significantly higher than those in the control group (Ps<0.05). However, no significant correlations were found between BMI, the prevalence of hypertension or dyslipidemia and the course, severity score, or activity score of vitiligo (Ps>0.05). Conclusion: Patients with vitiligo have more severe MS-related metabolic disorders, which are not significantly associated with the course, severity, or activity of vitiligo.

Key words: vitiligo, metabolic syndrome, BMI, hypertension, dyslipidemia