VITILIGO IN MULTIPLE AUTOIMMUNE-DISEASE - RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 11 CASES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Purpose. -The occurrence in the same patient of three or more autoimmu ne diseases defines multiple autoimmune disease. Multiple autoimmune d isease is an unusual condition in which dermatological autoimmune dise ases and especially vitiligo have an important place. Methods. -We exa mined retrospectively 11 cases of multiple autoimmune diseases associa ting vitiligo. We studied the clinical characteristics of vitiligo and those of the associated autoimmune disorders. Results. -Type III mult iple autoimmune disease was diagnosed in all the 11 cases observed. Au toimmune vitiligo was the first autoimmune disorder observed in seven cases and was bilateral, symmetrical and acrofacial in eight cases. Au toimmune thyroid disorder was associated in ten cases. Our data confir ms the important association between vitiligo and thyroid autoimmune d isorders. Conclusion. -The predominant female ratio and the acrofacial topography of skin lesions could predict association with others auto immune disorders in patients with vitiligo. (C) 1998, Elsevier, Paris.