Thyroid autoimmunity among vitiligo patients in North-western Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

Background: Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder of the skin and mucous membranes that manifests as depigmented macules and patches due to the selective loss of melanocytes. It is the most common depigmenting disorder of the skin. Thyroid autoimmunity has been reported among patients with vitiligo, with a higher incidence of both clinical and subclinical thyroid dysfunction compared with healthy individuals. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity and its association with clinical characteristics among adults with vitiligo in Zaria, North-western Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 77 adults with clinically diagnosed vitiligo attending the Dermatology Clinic of a tertiary healthcare center. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Serum thyroid function tests and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibody levels were measured. Thyroid autoimmunity was defined by anti-TPO positivity, while subclinical hypothyroidism was defined as elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels with normal free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine levels. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the participants was 38.97 ± 13.2 years and 58.4% were female. Nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV) was the predominant clinical type (67.5%). Anti-TPO antibodies were detected in 24.7% of participants and were significantly associated with age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.882–0.986, P = 0.014), gender (AOR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.058–0.864, P = 0.030) and clinical type of vitiligo (AOR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.02–0.944, P = 0.042). Elevated TSH levels were observed in 14.3% of participants, consistent with subclinical hypothyroidism. No cases of overt thyroid dysfunction were identified. Conclusion: Thyroid autoimmunity is common among adults with vitiligo in North-western Nigeria. These findings suggest that targeted thyroid screening may be considered, particularly among female patients and those with NSV, to facilitate early detection and management.