Vitiligo causes

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

## Overview

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Vitiligo is caused by a loss of skin melanocytes. Although the exact mechanism is not known, at least in some cases, an autoimmune process may play a role. [1][2]

## Associated Conditions

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The fact that vitiligo is more prevalent in patients with certain autoimmune disorders, such as Addison's disease, hyperthyroidism, alopecia areata and pernicious anemia supports the hypothesis that vitiligo is due to an autoimmune process,[3][4][5] but it should also be recognized that the majority of patients with vitiligo do not have any associated autoimmune disorder.

Vitiligo is also associated with Alezzandrini syndrome.

## References

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1. ↑ Gauthier Y, Cario Andre M, Taïeb A (2003). "A critical appraisal of vitiligo etiologic theories. Is melanocyte loss a melanocytorrhagy?". Pigment Cell Res. 16 (4): 322–32. PMID 12859615.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
2. ↑ Dell'anna ML, Picardo M (2006). "A review and a new hypothesis for non-immunological pathogenetic mechanisms in vitiligo". Pigment Cell Res. 19 (5): 406–11. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0749.2006.00333.x. PMID 16965269.
3. ↑ Shahla Babaee Nejad, Hamideh Herizchi Qadim, Leila Nazeman, Roohollah Fadaii & Mohamad Goldust (2013). "Frequency of autoimmune diseases in those suffering from vitiligo in comparison with normal population". Pakistan journal of biological sciences: PJBS. 16 (12): 570–574. PMID 24494526. Unknown parameter `|month=` ignored (help)CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
4. ↑ Daniel Holthausen Nunes & Ligia Maria Hademann Esser (2011). "Vitiligo epidemiological profile and the association with thyroid disease". Anais brasileiros de dermatologia. 86 (2): 241–248. PMID 21603806. Unknown parameter `|month=` ignored (help)
5. ↑ Kirsty J. MacLean & Michael J. Tidman (2013). "Alopecia areata: more than skin deep". The Practitioner. 257 (1764): 29–32. PMID 24383154. Unknown parameter `|month=` ignored (help)

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