Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Methods A questionnaire survey was performed to collect clinical data on 1005 cases of vitiligo in Beijing Hospital from September 1997 to March 2009. Data analysis was carried out by SPSS 13.0 software. Results There were 206 （20.5%） patients with positive family history among the 1005 cases of vitiligo. The mean age at onset was younger and bilateral vitiligo lesions were more frequently observed in patients with positive family history than those without （24.45 ± 15.87 years vs 28.12 ± 16.88 years, 71.3% vs 60.8%, both P < 0.05）. Blood type B predominated among patients with positive family history （19.9%）, while blood type O among those without （16.8%）, and no statistical difference was noted in the distribution of blood type between the two groups of patients （P > 0.05）. Conclusions ①The incidence of vitiligo accords with the rules of polygenic inheritance and shows a familial aggregation, and the closer the blood relationship, the higher the incidence of vitiligo. ②The incidence of vitiligo seems unrelated to sex. ③The mean age at onset is younger in patients with positive family history than those without, but appears unaffected by paternal or maternal inheritance. ④Patients with positive family history show a higher frequency of bilateral distribution of vitiligo lesions, but no difference in other clinical manifestions from patients without.

Key words: vitiligo, genetics, epidemiology, analysis