Exploring the natural and treatment history of vitiligo: patient and healthcare professional perceptions from the global VALIANT study
Recommended Citation
Hamzavi IH, Bibeau K, Grimes P, Harris JE, van Geel N, Parsad D, Tulpule M, Gardner J, Valle Y, Tlhong Matewa G, LaFiura C, Ren H, and Ezzedine K. Exploring the natural and treatment history of vitiligo: patient and healthcare professional perceptions from the global VALIANT study. Br J Dermatol 2023.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-26-2023
Publication Title
The British journal of dermatology
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting melanocytes, resulting in depigmentation of skin. Patients with vitiligo often have reduced quality of life and comorbid autoimmune conditions and have reported a lack of available treatments for their vitiligo.
OBJECTIVES: The Vitiligo and Life Impact Among International Communities (VALIANT) study is the first global survey to explore the natural history and management of vitiligo from the perspectives of patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs).
METHODS: The survey recruited adults (≥18 years) diagnosed with vitiligo and HCPs treating patients with vitiligo via an online panel in 17 countries. Patients were queried regarding clinical characteristics and vitiligo treatment. HCPs were queried regarding diagnosis and management of patients with vitiligo.
RESULTS: Included in the analysis were 3541 patients and 1203 HCPs. Nearly half (45.2%) of patients had >5% affected body surface area; 57.1% reported family history. Patients obtained formal diagnosis after a mean (SD) of 2.4 (4.1) years; 44.9% reported previous misdiagnosis. Many patients (56.7%) reported being told that vitiligo could not be treated; 53.9% of HCPs believed patients who never treated their vitiligo were told that vitiligo could not be treated. One-quarter of HCPs (26.3%) did not believe an effective therapy for vitiligo exists; 44.6% of patients reported giving up on finding an effective therapy. Top treatment goals for patients and HCPs, respectively, were reduction/cessation of spread (24.7%/18.5%) and repigmentation (22.5%/37.2%). Patient perception of effective care was similar for treatment by dermatologists (66.9%) and primary care HCPs (67.0%).
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with vitiligo and HCPs reported similar treatment goals and expressed frustration with lack of effective therapies. Patients reported high rates of initial misdiagnosis; many ceased seeking healthcare because they perceived that vitiligo could not be treated. Findings highlight the need for earlier diagnosis and improved disease management for vitiligo.
PubMed ID
37493275
ePublication
ePub ahead of print
