The Prevalence of Vitiligo Variants in Association with Helicobacter pylori Infection

Background: More than 50% of the world’s population is infected with H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori). Its prevalence continues to increase and is more prevalent in developing countries and those living in unsanitary conditions. On the other hand; Vitiligo is a progressive disease of unknown etiology, poorly responding to treatment and has a severe impact on patientu0027s lives. Objectives : This study is aimed to determine the prevalence of vitiligo variants and to detect whether or not there is an association between vitiligo and H. pylori infection. Patients and Methods: An observational case finding hospital-based study was carried out over a period of 3 months from October 2011-December 2011. A total of 64 vitiligo patients attended the clinic in Al Jawda Medical Centre in Khartoum; the patients had a thorough medical history taken from them and underwent a complete physical examination, and were tested for H. pylori using different laboratory methods. Questionnaires with relevant information have been completed. Results: H. pylori showed 53 positive cases out of the total number of 64 vitiligo cases which revealed an H. pylori prevalence of (82.8 %) which is considered as very high incidence rate. However, statistically, a p-value of more than 0.05 (p-value 0.729) renders it statistically insignificant and therefore an association between vitiligo and H. pylori is unlikely. The commonest vitiligo variant diagnosed in those with a positive H. pylori infection was Vitiligo vulgaris which constituted 64.2% of the total number of cases. Conclusion: There was a very high prevalence rate of H. pylori among vitiligo patients, and this should urge further larger scale research specifically well-designed case controls or cohorts regarding the association between vitiligo and H. pylori infection.