Vitiligo is a skin condition characterized by the presence of white patches on the skin. These patches reflect the selective loss of melanocytes, the cells that synthesize melanin, due to a malfunction of the immune system that mistakenly attacks them. Is vitiligo, still unknown to many people, therefore considered a rare disease? Find the answer to this question in this article.
Is vitiligo a rare disease?
Published on February 26, 2025, updated on February 26, 2025, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 4 min of reading
Themes:
7,000
rare diseases identified today.
300 million
of individuals globally affected by a rare disease.
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Vitiligo: Can we classify it as a rare disease?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a disease is classified as "rare" when it affects less than one person in 2,000, meaning its prevalence is less than 0.05%.
Many people consider vitiligo to be a rare disease. However, it is more common than one might think. According to estimates from the World Health Organization, vitiligo affects between 0.5 and 2% of the global population, which equates to several tens of millions of individuals. This prevalence varies by region, with higher rates in certain populations. For instance, in India, some studies report a prevalence of 8.8% for vitiligo. In the United States and Europe, the figure generally hovers around 1%.
These data suggest that vitiligo cannot be classified as a rare disease in the strictest sense of the term. Its frequency far exceeds the thresholds defined by health organizations, distinguishing it from other dermatoses considered rare diseases, such as localized scleroderma or Cowden's syndrome. If vitiligo is sometimes perceived as a rare disease, it's due to its underrepresentation in the media and the general lack of knowledge about it. Several factors contribute to this impression:
A Variable Clinical Expression : The vitiligo does not manifest in the same way in all patients. Some present with large, highly visible depigmented patches, while others have only a few discreet spots. Similarly, some patients have stable vitiligo for years while others experience rapid progression. This variability can give the impression that the disease is less common than it actually is.
A lack of awareness : Unlike other dermatological conditions, such as acne, eczema or psoriasis, vitiligo is less frequently addressed in awareness campaigns, which can reinforce the notion that it is a rare disease.
Social discomfort associated with vitiligo : Many individuals with vitiligo seek to conceal their white patches, using covering clothing or other means. This discretion is often due to fear of others' reactions and, in some cultures, a still strong stigmatization of skin depigmentation. This phenomenon can create the impression that vitiligo is rare, when in fact it is simply hidden and not easily noticeable in daily life.
Sources
BORRADORI L. & al. Dermatologie et infections sexuellement transmissibles. Elsevier Masson (2017).
EZZEDINE K. & al. Vitiligo: A Review. Dermatology (2020).
HARRIS J. & al. Vitiligo: Mechanisms of Pathogenesis and Treatment. Annual Review of Immunology (2020)
KOSHI S. & al. Vitiligo: A Narrative Review. Cureus (2022).
EZZEDINE K. & al. Estimating the burden of vitiligo: a systematic review and modelling study. The Lancet (2024).
