Study Reveals Distinct Psychosocial Burden Profiles Among Patients With Vitiligo
A multinational study has identified three clinically distinct psychosocial profiles among patients with vitiligo, emphasizing the importance of holistic assessment beyond visible symptoms.
Vitiligo, a chronic skin condition characterized by depigmentation, has long been recognized for its psychological and social ramifications. A new study conducted across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the US classified patients into three distinct groups based on the emotional, psychological, and social impact of the disease. The findings revealed profound differences in patient-reported outcomes (PROs), regardless of clinical severity.
The study analyzed data from physician and patient surveys completed between 2021 and 2022. Researchers employed latent class analysis using the Vitiligo Patient Priority Outcomes (ViPPO) tool to evaluate the impact of vitiligo on emotional/psychological and social functioning. Of 530 patients, the three resulting profiles included: Class 1 (mild impact, 64.2%), Class 2 (moderate impact, 24.3%), and Class 3 (severe impact, 11.5%).
Class 3 patients reported the greatest psychosocial distress and the worst scores across all PRO measures, including work productivity, quality of life (QoL), anxiety, and depression. This group also had the highest mean body surface area (BSA) involvement and facial lesions, which are features often linked to increased psychological burden. Notably, nearly one-third of Class 3 patients had limited/mild physician-reported disease, underscoring a disconnect between physical symptoms and the emotional toll.
These findings echo prior research linking greater BSA involvement and visible lesions to impaired daily activities and social relationships. However, the presence of severe psychosocial distress even among those with mild clinical symptoms highlights the limitations of relying solely on physical assessment.
The authors advocate for a more comprehensive evaluation of vitiligo patients. “Evaluation of patients holistically and consideration of both the physical and psychosocial burden of vitiligo are important when assessing disease severity,” said the researchers.
Reference
Hanson KA, Ezzedine K, Austin J, et al. Demographics and clinical characteristics among patients with distinct psychosocial burden profiles related to vitiligo: results of a latent class analysis. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2025;15(5):1195-1208. doi:10.1007/s13555-025-01401-6
