ABSTRACT

Vitiligo is a multifactorial dermatosis with many etiological hypotheses that have been suggested for its occurrence. To our knowledge, few epidemiological studies are available on vitiligo induction factors and particularly on the role of exposure to chemicals in the onset of the disease has been found. Therefore, there is need to investigate the relationship between vitiligo and chemical exposures in order to understand this mysterious disease. We conducted a case–control study of patients with vitiligo whose diagnosis was made by a specialist in dermatology. The total study period was of 6 months extending from 1 July to 31 December 2019. The minimum sample size was determined as 46 cases and 92 controls. The control group was gender, age, and professional status matched to the vitiligo group. In the binary logistic regression model, household chemicals/colored toothpaste use, a history of a repeated antibiotic use, and an occupational exposure to phenol/catechol derivatives were significantly associated with vitiligo (three to fourfold increase). Our results suggest that chemical factors play a key role in the occurrence of vitiligo. Therefore, prevention of this dermatosis requires the identification of exposure to the incriminated chemicals in any patient followed for vitiligo. The earlier the diagnosis of ‘chemical’ or chemically aggravated vitiligo, the better the prognosis for this disease.

摘要

白癜风是一种多因素皮肤病，其发生有许多病因学假设。据我们所知，很少有关于白斑病诱发因素的流行病学研究，特别是关于接触化学品在疾病发作中的作用的研究。因此，有必要调查白斑病与化学物质接触之间的关系，以了解这种神秘的疾病。我们对由皮肤科专家做出诊断的白斑病患者进行了病例对照研究。总研究期为 6 个月，从 2019 年 7 月 1 日至 12 月 31 日。最小样本量确定为 46 个病例和 92 个对照。对照组的性别、年龄和职业状况与白斑病组相匹配。在二元逻辑回归模型中，家用化学品/彩色牙膏的使用、反复使用抗生素的历史以及职业接触苯酚/儿茶酚衍生物与白斑病显着相关（增加三到四倍）。我们的研究结果表明，化学因素在白斑病的发生中起着关键作用。因此，预防这种皮肤病需要确定任何因白斑病而随访的患者是否接触过相关化学物质。越早诊断出“化学性”或化学性加重的白斑病，这种疾病的预后就越好。我们的研究结果表明，化学因素在白斑病的发生中起着关键作用。因此，预防这种皮肤病需要确定任何因白斑病而随访的患者是否接触过相关化学物质。越早诊断出“化学性”或化学性加重的白斑病，这种疾病的预后就越好。我们的研究结果表明，化学因素在白斑病的发生中起着关键作用。因此，预防这种皮肤病需要确定任何因白斑病而随访的患者是否接触过相关化学物质。越早诊断出“化学性”或化学性加重的白斑病，这种疾病的预后就越好。