Background. Vitiligo is a common skin disorder characterized by macular depigmentation of the skin. The etiopathogenesis of the disease is still unclear, but there is evidence that autoimmunity and endocrine disfunction may be involved. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine whether vitiligo is statistically associated with thyroid autoimmunity. Method. In a prospective case-control study, we compared the frequency of thyroid autoantibodies (thyroglobulin antibody, anti-Tg and thyroid peroxidase antibody, and anti-TPO) in 33 patients with vitiligo and in 33 healthy volunteers. Thyroid autoantibodies and thyroid hormones (thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured in all subjects. Results. Thyroid functional abnormalities were found in 6 (18.18%) patients. Anti-Tg and anti-TPO were positive in 9 (27.27%) and 8 (24.24%) patients, respectively. In control group, only one subject (3.03%) had abnormalities in thyroid hormonal status, and two subjects had positive thyroid autoantibodies. Compared with the control group, the frequency of both anti-Tg and anti-TPO was significantly higher in those with vitiligo (P < .05). Conclusion. This study shows a significant association between vitiligo and thyroid autoimmunity, and that tests to detect thyroid autoantibodies are relevant in patients with vitiligo.

Scalp involvement is a prominent and often the initial presentation in patients with psoriasis. Hair growth may be impaired with a hair loss and an increased telogen/anagen ratio. The aim of this study was to investigate the hair density and anagen/telogen ratio in psoriatic patients, using epiluminescence microscopy combined with digital image analysis (TrichoScan). Thirty psoriatic patients with scalp involvement and the same number of clinically healthy individuals were included in the study. For the measurement of hair density, anagen/telogen ratio and number of terminal and vellus hairs, a commercially available software TrichoScan was used. Hair density measurements did not show significant difference between patients and controls (P=0.05). The anagen ratio was significantly lower and telogen ratio significantly higher in psoriasis patients than in controls (P<0.01 both). There was no correlation between hair parameters and patient age or duration of disease. Study results support the evidence that scalp psoriasis is associated with an increased telogen/anagen ratio.