Aspects of etiopathogenesis and therapy of vitiligo/ Aspectos sobre a etiopatogenese e terapeutica do vitiligo

Introduction: Vitiligo is a chronic skin disease characterized by cutaneous depigmentation, being associated with aesthetic disfiguration and considerable psychological discomfort, representing great challenges in terms of dermatological care. Main Objective: To address the etiopathogenic aspects of vitiligo, as well as to present current therapeutic options for disease management. Method: Narrative bibliographic review using the electronic Pubmed database (US National Library of Medicine). The research was carried out in 2018, using the following identifiers in Health Sciences: vitiligo, cosmetic camouflage and vitiligo, treatment and vitiligo, physiopathology and vitiligo, immunopathology and vitiligo. We selected 26 researches published in the period from 2011 to 2018 that presented contents related to the objectives of this study. Result: Vitiligo is developed by the association of a genetic predisposition and exposure to environmental factors. The treatment aims to limit the progression of the disease, promote repigmentation of the affected areas and prevent relapses; It can be divided into clinical, aesthetic and surgical. Topical, systemic, phototherapy and recent immunobiological medicines are clinical treatments. The aesthetic treatment is represented by cosmetic camouflage and the surgical one is indicated for those who present stable disease not responsive to clinical therapy. Conclusion: Treatment is usually performed by the association of techniques, which is why it should be individualized for each patient. Early initiation of treatment is associated with a more favorable prognosis of the disease. It is of extreme importance not to neglect it in addition to knowing therapeutic innovations, considering the potential societal stigmatization of the disease, as a result improving clinical practice and quality of life of patients. Keywords: Vitiligo, Autoimmunity, Repigmentation, Drug Therapy, Phototherapy, Cosmetic, Surgery, Tissue Graft. O vitiligo e uma doenca cutanea cronica caracterizada por despigmentacao da pele, sendo associada com desfiguracao estetica e consideravel desconforto psicologico, representando grandes desafios em termos de cuidados dermatologicos. A partir do conhecimento do impacto psicossocial desta doenca para o paciente e os desafios do seu tratamento pela medicina, este trabalho teve como objetivos destacar os principais aspectos etiopatogenicos do vitiligo, bem como, apresentar as opcoes terapeuticas atuais para o manejo