A recent case-control study has revealed that Black children with vitiligo are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with psychiatric disorders compared to their counterparts without the skin condition.
Study Details
Participants: The study, conducted at Texas Children’s Hospital, included 327 Black children with vitiligo and 981 matched controls without vitiligo. The average age of the participants was 11.7 years, with 62% being girls.
Findings: Children with vitiligo were found to have a higher prevalence of several psychiatric conditions, including depression (odds ratio [OR],3.63; P 001）， suicidal ideation (OR,2.88; P 005）， disruptive behavior disorders (OR,7.68; P 001）， eating disorders (OR,15.22; P 013）， generalized anxiety disorder (OR,2.61; P 001）， and substance abuse (OR,2.67; P 011）
Treatment Initiation: Among those with vitiligo and psychiatric comorbidities, treatment initiation rates were highest for depression （76.5%）， disruptive behavior disorders （82.1%）， and eating disorders （100%）. Notably,14%of patients with suicidal ideation did not initiate treatment.
Implications for Clinical Practice
The study emphasizes the importance of screening for psychiatric comorbidities in pediatric patients with vitiligo. “Pediatric dermatologists have an important role in screening for psychiatric comorbidities, and implementation of appropriate screening tools while treating vitiligo is likely to have a bidirectional positive impact,” the authors wrote. By better understanding the psychiatric comorbidities of Black children with vitiligo, dermatologists can be more aware of pediatric mental health needs and provide appropriate referrals.
Study Limitations
The study’s retrospective design, single-center nature, and relatively small sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, causality between vitiligo and psychiatric comorbidities cannot be determined from this study.This research, published in JAAD International, highlights the psychosocial burden faced by Black children with vitiligo due to the condition’s visibility and social stigma.
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