Lto vitiligo it is not a simple aesthetic problem, but a real disease that carries a considerable psychological and socio-economic burden. A chronic autoimmune disease that hits between 0.5 and 2% of the global population. It manifests itself with white spots in different parts of the body. Although the model Winnie Harlow has made it its strong point, however 3 out of 5 patients vitiligo has a negative impact on one’s own self esteem And 9 out of 10 they collided with it stigma resulting from their condition. To turn the spotlight on this long underestimated pathology, we took stock of the future perspectives with the experts.
An autoimmune disease
Vitiligo is caused by immune system attacking and destroys the cells that produce melanin. «Vitiligo is therefore one immunological disease such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, and is often associated with other autoimmune conditions, such as autoimmune thyroiditis affecting 25-35% of patients with vitiligo, the autoimmune diabetesor therheumatoid arthritis» explains the Professor Mauro PicardoProfessor at theUniCamillus International University of Rome and Coordinator of the European Vitiligo Task Force.
What is Vitiligo
“It’s the pathology more frequent than the pigmentary system. It belongs to the group of chronic inflammatory skin diseases and is characterized by death of melanocytesthe cells that give color to the skin, with the consequent appearance of white depigmented areas in different parts of the body. It’s about a complex, chronic-degenerative diseaseand it’s not just an aesthetic problem», underlines Professor Picardo.
When it appears
“The development of the disease depends in part on one genetic predisposition and from environmental factors able to activate the autoimmune mechanism: it is estimated that 25-30% of patients have a family history of vitiligo. The illness can appear at any ageincluding the pediatric one, but the highest incidence is recorded between 20 and 40 years old» continues the expert.
The therapeutic perspectives
“The therapeutic gold standard is phototherapya treatment that it is not always effective and it is not specific. Indeed, to date in Italy, we have no specifically studied drugs for this pathology. In recent decades, however, research has produced very interesting results In the USA one has already been approved small molecule which acts by inhibiting the Janus kinase (JAK) signaling pathway which is particularly overexpressed in those with the disease», continues Professor Picardo.
The economic impact
One retrospective observational study promoted by Incyte and conducted on data relating to hospital, pharmaceutical and specialist outpatient assistance provided by ASL 2 Umbria from 2014 to 2018has shown that the annual cost of a patient with vitiligo is equal to 1,653 euroswith a peak equal to 5,000 euros for patients with comorbidities. “The data from this study strongly indicate the socioeconomic burden of vitiligo and seem to suggest that it is essential reduce comorbidities to reduce its impact on direct healthcare expenditure. In fact, if we look at the costs of young subjects and the cost of comorbidities, we realize the importance of developing a acceptance model which provides for the early diagnosis and treatment», emphasizes the Professor Francesco Saverio MenniniResearch Director – Economic Evaluation and HTA, CEIS, University of Rome “Tor Vergata” and president Sihta.
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