Vitiligo and major depressive disorder: A bidirectional population-based cohort study

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo patients often report their mental health has an effect on their skin. However, it is unknown as to whether a common mental disorder, such as major depressive disorder (MDD), can also precipitate the onset of vitiligo.

Objective: Evaluate a bidirectional relationship between MDD and vitiligo using The Health Improvement Network database.

Methods: Incident MDD and referent cohorts were followed until the development of vitiligo. Also, incident vitiligo and referent cohorts were followed until the development of MDD. Cox proportional hazards models were used, and numerous covariates were adjusted for.

Results: In adjusted models, MDD patients (n = 405,397) were at a 64% increased risk for vitiligo (hazard ratio 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43-1.87, P < .0001) compared with the referent cohort (n = 5,739,048). This risk was decreased in patients using antidepressants. Compared with the referent cohort (n = 6,137,696), patients with vitiligo (n = 7104) that were <30 years of age at diagnosis had a higher risk of developing MDD than patients ≥30 years of age (hazard ratio 1.31, 95% CI 1.14-1.50, P < .0001 vs 1.22, 95% CI 1.08-1.37, P = .001, respectively).

Limitations: This study did not evaluate the severity of MDD or vitiligo on outcome development.

Conclusion: These results highlight the burden of depression in patients with vitiligo and support the possible existence of pathophysiological connections between these 2 conditions.

Keywords: depression; epidemiology; inflammation; mental health; psychodermatology; vitiligo.