Evaluation of Elevated Serum IgE Levels among Patients with Vitiligo

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is a chronic acquired depigmenting disorder characterized by selective melanocyte loss and complex immune dysregulation. Alterations in immunoglobulin E (IgE) may reflect immune activation in a subset of patients, but evidence regarding its clinical relevance in vitiligo remains limited. Aim of the study: To evaluate serum IgE levels among patients with vitiligo and determine their association with demographic and clinical characteristics, particularly disease activity and extent. Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study included 150 patients with clinically diagnosed vitiligo. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, including age, sex, family history, disease duration, vitiligo type, disease activity, body surface area involvement, and associated autoimmune disease, were recorded. Serum IgE levels were measured and categorized according to the laboratory reference range. Associations between IgE elevation and clinical variables were assessed using appropriate statistical tests, followed by multivariable logistic regression. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among the 150 patients, elevated serum IgE was observed in a substantial proportion of participants. IgE elevation showed a significant association with active vitiligo and greater disease extent. In contrast, age, sex, family history, associated autoimmune disease, vitiligo type, and disease duration were not independently associated with elevated IgE after adjustment. The adjusted analysis indicated that serum IgE elevation was more closely related to current disease activity and extent than to demographic characteristics or longer disease duration. Conclusion: Elevated serum IgE may be associated with clinically active and extensive vitiligo and could have potential value as an adjunctive marker of disease activity. Further prospective multicenter studies are required to establish its clinical and prognostic utility.