Vitiligo Associated With Increased Cardiometabolic Risk in Large Retrospective Cohort Analysis

A large retrospective cohort analysis suggests that vitiligo is associated with a significantly increased burden of cardiometabolic comorbidities, reinforcing the concept of vitiligo as a systemic disease rather than a purely cutaneous condition.

Using the TriNetX database, researchers conducted a propensity score–matched analysis comparing 13,917 adults with vitiligo to 13,917 matched controls without vitiligo. Matching was performed by age, sex, race, and ethnicity. Outcomes included major cardiometabolic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension (HTN), dyslipidemia, ischemic heart disease (IHD), metabolic syndrome, and obesity. 

Vitiligo was associated with significantly higher prevalence across all evaluated cardiometabolic outcomes. Patients with vitiligo had increased risk of T2DM (RR 1.12; 95% CI, 1.08–1.17; P<0.0001), HTN (RR 1.09; 95% CI, 1.07–1.12; P<0.0001), dyslipidemia (RR 1.19; 95% CI, 1.16–1.22; p<0.0001), IHD (RR 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03–1.13; P =0.0001), metabolic syndrome (RR 1.61; 95% CI, 1.30–1.98; P <0.0001), and obesity (RR 1.15; 95% CI, 1.11–1.19; P <0.0001). 

These associations remained consistent with prior literature, supporting a growing body of evidence linking vitiligo to systemic metabolic and cardiovascular risk.

“Adults with vitiligo have significantly higher cardiometabolic comorbidity compared to matched controls,” the authors concluded. “Findings reinforce that vitiligo is not solely a cutaneous disorder but has systemic metabolic and cardiovascular implications.” 

“Routine screening for cardiovascular risk factors should be considered in patients with vitiligo,” the authors added, highlighting the need for integrated dermatologic and cardiometabolic care. 

These findings emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary management strategies to address long-term cardiovascular risk in patients with vitiligo.

Reference

Minbaeva S, Robertson OT, Verma KK, et al. Is there a link between vitiligo and increased cardiometabolic risk? A retrospective cohort analysis. Presented at: American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting; March 27–31, 2026; Denver, Colorado.