A research team from Shenzhen People’s Hospital have developed a computational system for evaluating repigmentation rates in vitiligo patients, according to a new paper in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
The retrospective study, conducted from June 2019 to November 2022, analyzed pre- and post-treatment images of vitiligo lesions under Wood’s lamp in 833 patients. According to the results of the analysis, the marginal pigmentation pattern yielded the highest repigmentation rate (72%) vs. the central non-follicular pattern (45%). Males had a marginally higher average repigmentation rate (0.37) than females (0.33). Age was also shown to be a factor, with individuals aged 0 to 20 years achieving the highest mean repigmentation rate (0.41) vs. the oldest group (aged 61 to 80 years) with the lowest rate (0.25). The marginal pattern was the most common, appearing in 60% of cases, with an overall mean repigmentation rate of 40%.
The newly developed computer-aided system provides a precise and objective method for evaluating repigmentation, offering a valuable tool for clinicians to monitor treatment efficacy and improve patient satisfaction.
"In summary, our automated system stands as an invaluable and objective tool for the assessment and monitoring of repigmentation rates in vitiligo patients" the authors wrote. "It not only offers crucial insights into treatment outcomes but also provides robust support for dermatologists and healthcare professionals in their clinical decision-making processes. Nonetheless, it is imperative to acknowledge the inherent limitations of the system and highlight its use in conjunction with clinical expertise to ensure the highest quality of care for vitiligo patients."
Source: Wang Z, et al. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2024;145(1):56-64.