Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody and Segmental Vitiligo

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease (AID) of the skin, which affects pigment-producing melanocytes and results in  depigmented patches. It has been demonstrated that; anti-thyroid hormones autoantibodies may have a role in the process of  depigmentation among cases with vitiligo.

Objective: To evaluate auto-immunity role in segmental vitiligo (SV) by comparing anti-thyroid  peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibody (Ab) in vitiligo and healthy subjects. To compare anti-TPO Ab in segmental vitiligo and non- segmental vitiligo (NSV) patients.

Patients and Methods: This was a case-control study that comprised 3 groups, 20 patients with SV, 20  patients with NSV and 40 healthy individuals with age and sex-matched controls. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid  peroxidase antibody (antiTPO) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique in each group.

Results: Anti- TPO positivity was demonstrated to be significantly more common in non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) than segmental vitiligo patients. While  TSH level did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusions: This result suggests that AIDs are more common among cases with  NSV than SV. Anti-TPO Ab positivity is more common among females and among cases with a long duration of vitiligo.