Incidence and prevalence of vitiligo by gender and age in the Colombian population

Abstract

Introduction: Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting skin disorder characterized by achromic macules resulting from the selective destruction of melanocytes. Epidemiological information regarding this condition remains limited in Colombia and Latin America, with prevalence varying across geographical regions.

Objective: To estimate the incidence and prevalence of vitiligo in Colombia by age, gender, and region.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted utilizing real-world clinical practice data retrieved from the national registry SISPRO (Sistema de Información para la Protección Social) spanning the period from 2015 to 2022.

Results: Over the eight-year follow-up period (2015-2022) in Colombia, 131,494 patients were diagnosed with vitiligo. In 2016, the lowest incidence was observed, with 26 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, whereas in 2019, the highest incidence was recorded at 47 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, representing a difference of 11,175 cases between the two years. Incidence decreased in 2020 to 28.15 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Prevalence exhibited a linear increase over the years, with the highest rates observed in 2018 and 2019.

Conclusions: This study represents the first comprehensive report on epidemiological data concerning individuals with vitiligo in Colombia, and the second in South America. It contributes to the understanding of this condition, revealing an upward trend in incidence and prevalence. These findings also provide insights into primary treatment modalities, which are probably associated with improved case registration by healthcare providers.