Clinical characteristics of progressive vitiligo

Background and aim: Vitiligo is an acquired idiopathic hypomelanotic disease. The purpose of this study was to review clinical characteristics of vitiligo and their significance in the progression of vitiligo.Materials and methods: Eight hundreds and sixteen cases of vitiligo were studied from February 2005 to October 2006. All of the patients were referred to dermatology clinics in Kerman city. Questionnaires were completed regarding progression, sex, family history, clinical type, age at onset,site of lesions, duration of disease, Koebner phenomenon, leukotrichia, and mucosal involvement.Results: Six hundreds and seven patients (74.39%) showed progression of disease and 209 patients (25.61%) did not show progression. There was no significant difference between the two groups in regard to sex, age at onset, leukotrichia, positive family history or longer duration; however, in patients with non-segmental clinical type, Koebner phenomenon and mucous membrane involvement indicated more progressive course of vitiligo (p<0.05).Conclusion: The progression or prognosis of vitiligo may be related to clinical characteristics such as clinical type, Koebner phenomenon, and mucous membrance involvement.