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Association Between Psoriasis and Vitiligo: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Abstract

Background

The relationship between psoriasis and vitiligo has not been previously confirmed, and we therefore aimed to investigate this association.

Methods

We conducted a search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE electronic databases on 22 January 2018 for case–control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies examining the association between psoriasis and vitiligo. A customized Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias of the included studies. We performed a random effects meta-analysis to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for case–control and cross-sectional studies.

Results

Of 2453 citations identified from the literature search, 10 case–control/cross-sectional studies with a total of 120,866 psoriasis cases and 79,907 vitiligo cases were included in our study. Four of these studies were rated as high risk of bias. We found a significantly increased odds for vitiligo in psoriasis patients (summary OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.56–3.37, studies = 7), as well as a significantly elevated odds for psoriasis in vitiligo patients (summary OR 3.43, 95% CI 1.86–6.33, studies = 4).

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis showed that psoriasis and vitiligo are associated with each other. Several studies had a high risk of bias, and further investigation is needed to confirm this association and amplify treatment options.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, 5, Fuxing St, Guishan District, Taoyuan, 33305, Taiwan

    Hsi Yen & Ching-Chi Chi

  2. College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

    Ching-Chi Chi

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  1. Hsi Yen
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Correspondence to Ching-Chi Chi.

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No funding was received for the conduct of this study or the preparation of this article.

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Hsi Yen and Ching-Chi Chi have no conflicts of interest directly relevant to the content of this article.

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Yen, H., Chi, CC. Association Between Psoriasis and Vitiligo: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Am J Clin Dermatol 20, 31–40 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-018-0394-1

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