Identifying the factors that cause vitiligo: The VIGOR study

Summary: Abstract Body: Despite a prevalence of 1-2%, the factors that initiate vitiligo are largely unknown. Longitudinal studies of at-risk individuals can be a powerful tool to discover disease processes. However, recruitment, retention, and observation/specimen collection are a challenge, especially with a geographically diverse study cohort. To address this challenge, we have devised a novel siteless longitudinal study called the Vitiligo Genetics of Onset and Relapse (VIGOR) Study. Our first objective was to develop the methodology to allow us to establish a geographically diverse cohort consisting of individuals with vitiligo and their family members without vitiligo. Participation in the study is done at home, using a custom mobile application (app). The app manages recruitment, consent, at-home sample and survey collection, as well as communication with participants. The VIGOR app was launched on June 10, 2024 and has been used to consent 583 participants from 183 families from 42 US States. To study onset and progression of vitiligo, we have collected saliva samples for whole genome sequencing, allowing us to construct accurate family pedigrees. Additionally, regular collection of health surveys, skin/blood samples, and biometric data from FitBit devices is ongoing. Surveys have revealed increased hair dye exposure (p<0.03) and strong association with polyautoimmunity (p<10-10) in individuals with vitiligo compared to nonaffected relatives. Compliance rates have been high for data collection by sampling devices (95.6%) and surveys (96.6%), giving us confidence that we will be able to successfully monitor environmental triggers and changes in biomarkers to allow us to better predict, and ultimately prevent, vitiligo. Continued enrollment efforts to increase cohort size are underway. In conclusion, we have successfully demonstrated the feasibility of a siteless longitudinal study to identify and monitor factors associated with autoimmunity in the skin. Todd F. Pearson¹, Thomas Jacob², Li-Chi Chen¹, George Kwapong¹, Priscilla Romano¹, Laura Lajoie¹, John E. Harris¹, Manuel Garber² 1. Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States. 2. Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States. Clinical Research: Epidemiology and Observational Research