Depression Risk Elevated in Patients with Vitiligo, Especially Among Black and Hispanic Populations

A comprehensive study led by researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA has identified a significant link between vitiligo and increased depression risk, with notable disparities across racial and ethnic groups. Vitiligo, a chronic autoimmune skin condition affecting about 1% of the global population, causes the loss of melanocytes, resulting in depigmented patches on the skin. While primarily a dermatological concern, its psychosocial impact can be profound, often leading to reduced self-esteem, social stigma, and elevated depression rates.

In this recent research, published as a pre-proof in JAAD International, investigators analyzed electronic health records from the NIH All of Us Program covering data from 2018 to 2024. The study included 254,700 individuals, among whom 1,087 had vitiligo. Each patient with vitiligo was matched with five control individuals without the condition, considering factors like age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, and insurance status. Statistical analyses revealed that overall, vitiligo increases the likelihood of depression, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.34.

The analysis uncovered racial and ethnic differences in depression risk. Black patients with vitiligo exhibited more than twice the risk of depression compared to Black patients without vitiligo (aOR 2.13). Hispanic patients with the condition also showed a significant increase in depression risk (aOR 1.45). Among non-Hispanic patients, those with vitiligo had an elevated risk (aOR 1.29), while white patients' risk was not statistically significant, and Asian patients showed a lower, non-significant risk.

These findings highlight the uneven mental health burden of vitiligo, potentially influenced by factors such as lesion visibility, cultural stigma, and access to mental health and dermatologic services. The researchers suggest future studies to explore how the location and onset age of vitiligo, as well as treatments like phototherapy and ruxolitinib, impact depression. They also recommend integrating dermatology and psychiatry care models to better address these mental health challenges.

This pivotal research underscores the importance of holistic care for vitiligo patients and calls for tailored mental health support, particularly for vulnerable racial and ethnic groups, to improve their overall quality of life.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-vitiligo-linked-higher-depression-large.html