Review on Assessment and Evaluation of Vitiligo in Primary Care
Faisal Suliman Algaows *
King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard, Iskan PHC, Saudi Arabia.
Tala Shawkat Bukhari
King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia.
Tahani Mohammed Asiri
King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulkarim Mudbigh Almazyadi
Hail Mental Health Complex, Saudi Arabia.
Salma Abdul Khahar
Batterjee Medical College, Saudi Arabia.
Ayshah Mohammed K. Alhakeem
King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.
Danah Youssef A. Albouri
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.
Ali Nasser Alsindi
Qassim University, Saudi Arabia.
Haytham Saleh Alzeadi
Qassim University, Saudi Arabia.
Amjad Omar Alkanas
Fakeeh Hospital, Saudi Arabia.
Meshary Saud Almotiry
General Rumah Hospital, Saudi Arabia.
Ashwaq Laili Alanazi
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.
Ahmed Abdulrazagh M. Alabdulaziz
King Fahad General Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Kawthar Fawaz Alhamwan
Alhamedia Primary Health Center, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Vitiligo is an acquired skin disorder characterised by the disappearance of melanocytes, resulting in well-defined white patches that are frequently symmetrically distributed. The lack of melanin pigment makes the lesional skin more sensitive to sunburn. Vitiligo can be cosmetically disfiguring, and it is a stigmatising condition that can lead to serious psychologic problems in daily life. Vitiligo is treated with a variety of topical and systemic medications, phototherapy, laser therapy, and surgical therapy. Corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and vitamin-D analogues are examples of topical treatment modalities. Phototherapy is a highly effective treatment method. It causes repigmentation in the majority of patients with early and localised disease. Because vitiligo is associated with other autoimmune disorders, a multidisciplinary approach is required. Collaboration and communication between primary care physicians and dermatologists are critical. This review aims to assess role of primary care physicians in assessment and management of vitiligo in primary care settings.
Keywords: Vitiligo, skin disorder, primary care, pigment cell