Epidemiological study of patients with vitiligo at NRIUM-SD: A population based study

Vitiligo (baras) is a common skin disorder in which there is loss of pigmentation due to destruction of melanocytes. The prevalence of vitiligo worldwide ranges from 0.1 to 2%, and the range differs from country-to-country. In India, the prevalence ranges from 0.46 to 8.8%. Most of the studies have shown that the prevalence of vitiligo does not associate with gender. Higher incidence of onset of disease is below 30 years. Some cases show family history of vitiligo. It may sometimes associate with other autoimmune diseases. The literature is collected from classical Unani textbooks, textbooks of dermatology, and online databases using several keywords. The number of patients screened for an year from the outpatient department (OPD) of National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders (NRIUM-SD), Hyderabad which is specialised institute for skin disorders particularly vitiligo. This article summarises the prevalence and incidence of vitiligo related to age, onset of disease, gender, family history, segmented/ non-segmented type, and site of maximum appearance.