Abstract:

Objective To study clinical features and epidemiology of late onset vitiligo in Zhejiang Province. Methods Using a standardized questionnaire, clinical analysis was carried out in 339 patients who developed vitiligo after 30 years of age （late onset） as well as on 758 patients developing vitiligo before 30 years of age （early onset） as control. The findings were analyzed by SPSS 16.0 software. Results There were 229 females and 110 males in the 339 patients with late onset vitiligo, while of the 758 patients with early onset vitiligo, 375 were males and 383 females. In late onset vitiligo, the average onset age was 45.4 ± 10.8 years with head and neck as the predilection sites. A significant increase was observed in the proportion of patients with upper limbs as the primary location in patients with late onset vitiligo than in those with early onset vitiligo （22.7% vs 12.9%, χ2 = 16.73, P < 0.05）. Compared with patients with early onset vitiligo, the prevalence of segmental vitiligo and localized vitiligo decreased （9.4% vs 20.1%, 11.2% vs 16.5%, both P < 0.05）, while that of sporadic vitiligo and extremity vitiligo increased （57.8% vs 50.1%, 16.8% vs 10.8%, both P < 0.05） in those with late onset vitiligo. Of the patients with late onset vitiligo, 252 （74.3%） were in progressive stage and 105 （31.0%） suffered from leukotrichia. No significant difference was found in the prevalence of autoimmune or endocrine disorders between patients with late onset vitiligo and those with early onset vitiligo （8.8% vs 5.9%, P > 0.05）, while increased incidence of thyroid diseases and diabetes mellitus was noted in patients with late onset vitiligo（both P < 0.05）. A family history was observed in 31 （9.1%） patients with late onset vitiligo and 97 （12.8%） patients with early onset vitiligo （P > 0.05）. Compared with early onset vitiligo, late onset vitiligo was more vulnerable to environmental factors, and mental factors appeared to be the primary influencing factor. Conclusion There are some differences in clinical and epidemiological profiles between late onset vitiligo and early onset vitiligo.