Disorders of Hypopigmentation

March 2019 | Volume 18 | Issue 3 | Supplement Individual Articles | 115 | Copyright © March 2019


Yemisi Dina BS,a Jacqueline McKesey MD MS,b Amit G. Pandya MDb

aSchool of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN bDepartment of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX

Abstract
common cause of depigmentation worldwide is vitiligo. This disorder affects 1-2% of the world’s population and is seen in all races. Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder in which the predominant cause is an attack by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells on melanocytes in the epidermis. This condition can have a significant negative impact on the quality of life of affected individuals. Treatment options currently include psychological counseling, topical therapy, systemic therapy, phototherapy, surgical therapy, and depigmentation. In patients with stable, refractory disease, successful repigmentation has been achieved using mini-punch grafting, blister grafting, and non-cultured epidermal suspension (NCES) grafting. Emerging therapies include the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors ruxolitinib and tofacitinib. Further studies exploring the pathogenesis of vitiligo are warranted in order to optimize treatment for affected patients. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(3 Suppl):s115-116.

INTRODUCTION

Hypopigmentation and depigmentation of the skin can be caused by multiple disorders. These include seborrheic dermatitis, mycosis fungoides, tinea versicolor, pityriasis alba, nevus depigmentosus, leprosy, and vitiligo (Figure 1).1,2 The most common cause of depigmentation worldwide is vitiligo. This disorder affects 1-2% of the world’s population and can be seen in all races.3 Vitiligo can have a significant impact on the quality of life of affected individuals.4 Although the disease course is often unpredictable, a few clinical signs that indicate increased disease activity have been identified. Confetti-like lesions, trichome lesions, and evidence of the Koebner phenomenon all indicate the need for immediate treatment (Figure 2).5,6 Vitiligo is caused by a disorder in the immune system in which CD8+ cytotoxic T cells attack melanocytes in the epidermis causing apoptosis and subsequent depigmentation.3 Although there are no current biomarkers to measure activity of vitiligo, certain clinical findings have a bearing on prognosis and likelihood of repigmentation. Patients who tend to respond well to treatment include younger patients, darker skin types, a short history of disease (<2 years), and those with depigmentation of the face, ears, neck, axillae, and other hair bearing areas with pigmented hairs. Features that characterize a poor prognosis include older patients, lighter skin types, long history of disease or rapidly spreading disease, and involvement of the scalp, lips, hands, elbows, genitalia, feet, or knees. Additionally, evidence of leukotrichia within depigmented lesions is a sign of poor prognosis (Figure 3).Treatment options for vitiligo include psychological counseling, topical therapy, systemic therapy, phototherapy, surgical therapy, and depigmentation.7 The current mainstay of treatment is phototherapy although treatment courses are often prolonged, lasting 6-18 months.7 Narrow band-UVB, PUVA, PUVASOL, UVA, sunlight, and solarium therapy can all be utilized based on treatment availability. However, the most successful phototherapy type remains NBUVB, which is effective due to its immunosuppressive effects and ability to induce melanocyte differentiation and melanin production.7,8 Studies have shown that home phototherapy is more efficient and cost effective than in-office phototherapy.9 In patients with the signs of active disease discussed above, a short course of an oral corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, may be warranted.7,10 Due to their