Association of vitiligo with anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid dysfunction in Saudi Arab patients: A case control study

Objectives: To assess the association of vitiligo with thyroid dysfunction, vitamin B12 deficiency, diabetes mellitus and anemia; among Saudi Arab individuals using laboratory data in a controlled fashion. Methods: A case control study was conducted among Saudi nationals with a confirmed diagnosis of vitiligo presenting between July 2014 and December 2015. Sex- and age-matched randomly selected subjects were included as controls. Blood samples from both vitiligo patients and controls were collected and assayed for hemoglobin level, mean corpuscular volume, thyroid stimulating hormone level, free thyroxine level, vitamin B12, and fasting blood glucose. Results: Of the 115 vitiligo subjects, 15% had microcytic anemia compared to 7% of control (p = 0.072). Macrocytic anemia was diagnosed in 1% of vitiligo subjects and in 2% of control (p = 0.404). Vitiligo group had significantly higher prevalence (5%) of primary hypothyroidism compared to control (0%) (p = 0.030). Vitamin B12 deficiency was significantly more prevalent in vitiligo group (16%) compared to control (2%) (p = 0.001). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was higher in vitiligo group (8%) as compared to control (4%) (p = 0.334). Conclusion: Primary hypothyroidism and vitamin B12 deficiency are significantly more prevalent in Saudi Arab vitiligo patients. Screening vitiligo patients for thyroid dysfunction and vitamin B12 deficiency may be warranted.