Recurrence and risk factors in cured patients with vitiligo: A real-life single-center retrospective study

BackgroundThe risk of recurrence after successful repigmentation in vitiligo has attracted attention from both patients and clinicians. ObjectivesThe recurrence rate and risk factors in cured patients with vitiligo were analyzed to improve clinical prevention and treatment. MethodsClinical records of 76 patients with vitiligo who demonstrated at least 80% repigmentation were analyzed retrospectively. Single-factor analysis of variance and binary logistic regression analysis was employed to screen the risk factors of vitiligo recurrence. ResultsAmong the 76 cured patients, 26 relapsed (total recurrence rate of 34.2%). Among these, 20 relapsed within one year (recurrence rate of 26.3%). Single-factor analysis of variance revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) with the age of onset (yr), distribution of onset, and oral traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intake between the recurrence and nonrecurrence groups. Binary logistic regression analysis displayed that the age of onset (yr) (p = 0.015, OR = 1.051), distribution of onset (p = 0.046, OR = 0.194), and oral TCM (p = 0.018, OR = 4.360) are significant risk factors for vitiligo recurrence. ConclusionA total relapse rate of 34.2% was observed in cured vitiligo patients. The age of onset (yr), distribution of onset, and oral TCM are risk factors for vitiligo recurrence. The necessary interventions should be considered on these factors for reducing the recurrence rate of vitiligo.