Background: Vitiligo is a depigmentation disorder with macular depigmentation and white patches as the main clinical feature. Etiology of vitiligo remains unclear, but multiple factors have been implicated in the development of the disease, including impaired melanocyte migration, genetic susceptibility and autoimmunity. Objective: The aim of the study was to identify if there is any relation between vitamin D gene affection and having vitiligo.
Patients and Methods: This was an analytical case control study; in which patients were selected from the outpatient clinic of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospitals. The study was carried out on 60 subjects, divided into 2 groups (30 vitiligo patients, and 30 healthy controls), using socio-medical questionnaire, Detailed dermatological examination, CBC, liver and kidney function tests and DNA extract from blood and detection of gene polymorphism.
Results: There was no significant difference between the vitiligo and control groups regarding age, sex, residence, and family history of vitiligo. The most found genotype in vitiligo patients was GA (80% of cases) with high statistical significant difference found between the two groups. while the most found genotype in controls was GG (70% of them), with high statistical significant difference found between the two groups. Vitiligo score was higher in GA genotype patients compared to GG and AA genotype patients, but with no significant difference.
Conclusion: This study suggests an association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms in vitiligo in Egyptian population.