Exposome Risk Factors for Vitiligo: A Systematic Evidence Review - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #autoimmune
- #vitiligo
- #exposome
- Vitiligo is a multi-factorial autoimmune skin disorder often triggered by environmental exposures.
- Drug-associated vitiligo, particularly from immune checkpoint inhibitors, was the most robustly supported association (7-25% in patients with melanoma).
- Phenol-based chemicals were consistently linked to melanocyte toxicity.
- COVID-19 infection modestly increased risk (hazard ratio ≈ 1.11), while vaccination did not.
- Other factors such as stress, trauma, sunburn, smoking, diet, and sleep were frequently cited but supported by lower-level evidence.
- Study heterogeneity, lack of standardized outcomes, and predominance of observational designs limited meta-analysis and causal inference.
- Drugs, chemicals, and infections are key triggers; lifestyle factors require further study.