Exploring depression risk in vitiligo across racial and ethnic groups

Summary: Abstract Body: Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune skin condition with significant psychosocial comorbidities. However, clinical variations based on skin tone and unique challenges faced by patients with skin of color (SOC) have limited exploration of racial and ethnic differences in depression risk. This case-control study examined depression prevalence and risk in 1087 vitiligo versus 5435 non-vitiligo patients across racial and ethnic groups from the All of Us database (n = 6522, 1:5 case:control ratio). Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated after multivariable adjustment for relevant covariates. Vitiligo patients had a significantly higher depression prevalence compared to non-vitiligo controls (40.0% vs. 29.2%, p < 0.01), with an increased risk of depression (aOR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.16–1.54). Race-stratified analysis revealed Black vitiligo patients had a significantly higher depression prevalence (52.8% vs. 30.5%, p < 0.01), and more than double the risk of depression than Black non-vitiligo patients (aOR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.55–2.91). White vitiligo patients had a significantly higher depression prevalence compared to White non-vitiligo controls (34.7% vs. 29.4%, p < 0.05), but their increased depression risk was not significant after multivariable adjustment (aOR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.85–1.29). Asian vitiligo patients had similar depression prevalence to Asian non-vitiligo controls (11.1% vs. 12.8%, p = 1.00) and a lower risk of depression (aOR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.15–2.38). Vitiligo is linked to an increased risk of depression, with Black patients facing significantly higher risk, while White and Asian patients showed non-significant risk after adjustment. These findings reveal racial differences in disease burden and underscore the need for culturally sensitive care. Disaggregating data by race and ethnicity is vital to accurately assess comorbidity risk and address disparities in SOC patients. Matthew Yan¹, Nicole Johnsen¹, Peggy Chou¹, Charlotte Jeong¹, Alyssa Roberts¹, Elaine Ma¹, Abigail Katz¹, Yvonne Nong¹, April Armstrong¹ 1. Dermatology, University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States. Minoritized Populations and Health Disparities Research