Utility of Dermoscopy and Interpretation of Dermoscopic Findings in Stable and Progressing Lesions of Vitiligo.

Abstract

Objective: To identify the various dermoscopic patterns present in vitiligo and its predictive value in determining the stability of the disease.

Study design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Dermatology, PNS Shifa Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from October 2023 to July 2024.

Methodology: A total of 80 clinically diagnosed patients of vitiligo, of either gender, with stable and progressing vitiligo, having age ≥18 years, were included. Dermoscopic examination of vitiligo lesions was done to evaluate the clinical stability of the lesions. SPSS version 26 was used to analyse the data. The dermoscopic findings of stable and progressing vitiligo were compared using the Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test.

Results: Out of the 80 patients who were clinically diagnosed with vitiligo, 56 (70%) were women and 24 (30%) were men. The patients' average age was 31.94 ± 8.185 years. Approximately 38 (47.5%) patients had stable vitiligo, while 42 (52.5%) had progressing vitiligo. The dermoscopic patterns included perifollicular depigmentation in 15%, perifollicular hyperpigmentation in 33%, perilesional/marginal hyperpigmentation in 8%, intra/perilesional erythema with telangiectasia in 19%, trichrome pattern in 26%, leucotrichia in 14%, starburst appearance in 24%, comet tail appearance in 26%, and minor Koebner's phenomenon in 33.75% cases. Comparison of findings between stable versus progressing vitiligo showed significant difference with a p-value of <0.05.

Conclusion: Specific dermoscopic patterns can be utilised to ascertain disease activity and accordingly decide on the management protocol.

Key words: Dermoscopy, Dermatoscopy, Dermoscopic patterns, Dermatoscopic patterns, Stable vitiligo, Progressing vitiligo.