Exploring the Role of Adipose Tissue Dysregulation in Vitiligo Pathogenesis: A Body Composition Analysis

Vitiligo is a commonly acquired pigmentary disease characterized by the progressive destruction of melanocytes. The role of adipose tissue in vitiligo remains unclear. To investigate the role of adipose tissue in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, 50 patients newly diagnosed with vitiligo and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled, and fat mass and distribution using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and serum adipokine levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were assessed. The trunk and whole-body fat mass and the trunk/limb fat mass ratio were significantly higher in patients with vitiligo. Higher leptin and resistin levels and lower adiponectin levels were observed. Positive correlation of the trunk fat mass index with vitiligo area scoring index scores (r = 0.38, p = 0.0071) was found. Additionally, plasma adiponectin levels were negatively correlated with vitiligo disease activity scores (r = -0.307, p