JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Vitiligo is a chronic, acquired depigmenting disorder with heterogeneous clinical patterns, clinically important autoimmune associations, and a substantial psychosocial burden. Describing phenotype distribution and associated factors at a country level can support pragmatic, locally relevant screening and counseling strategies. To describe demographic and clinical characteristics of vitiligo patients in Jordan and explore associations by sex and vitiligo subtype. We performed a retrospective cohort study using medical records from (1) King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH), Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), and (2) Dr. Huda Alqudah Dermatology Private Clinic (Amman). Patients from all regions of Jordan attend these clinics; KAUH predominantly represents northern Jordan, whereas the Amman clinic predominantly represents central Jordan and, to some extent, southern Jordan. Records from December 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025were reviewed. Extracted variables included demographics, vitiligo subtype and activity, sites involved, associated clinical features (Koebner phenomenon, leukotrichia, halo nevus), comorbidities (thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus,pernicious anemia), symptoms and psychosocial impact, and available investigations (thyroid function tests, fasting glucose, vitamin B12, vitamin D, ferritin, zinc, copper). Continuous variables were summarized as median [IQR] and compared using Mann–Whitney U tests; categorical variables were compared using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. Two-sided p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 715 patients were included.). Median age was 28 [19–40] years; 61.1% were female (431/705 with sex recorded). Median age at onset was 20 [11–33] years for nonsegmental vitiligo and 17 [10-32] for SV. Among those with recorded subtype (n = 679), non-segmental vitiligo predominated (77.9%), followed by segmental vitiligo (15.6%) and unclassified disease (6.5%). Among analyzable disease activity entries (n = 481), disease was progressive in 61.3%, stable in 32.6%, and regressive in 6.0%. The most frequently involved sites were face (48.4%), lower limbs (42.8%), and hands (42.1%). Thyroid disease was documented in 10.3% (72/697). Females had higher thyroid disease prevalence and reported more itching and social isolation (p < 0.05). Compared with non-segmental vitiligo, segmental vitiligo was associated with younger age, shorter disease duration, higher stability, lower Koebner positivity, and more localized involvement (all p < 0.01). Among tested patients, low vitamin D was common (~52.8% among those tested). Ferritin was low in 17% of patients tested 79/459. Vitamin B12 was low in 17% of patients tested n 321/659. NSV are more likely to have koebner phenomenon 30% vs 12% for NSV, Halo naevus is also more common in NSV (12% vs 5% for SV, which was statistically significant ( p < 0.05).NSV is more likely to be progressive and less stable than SV. Itching is more frequent in NSV. Family history was reported in 30% of NSV and in 26 % of SV,with consanguinity marriage was reported in 27 % of patients Social isolation was reported in 26 % of patients ,school absence reported in 7% of paitients. In this large Jordanian cohort, non-segmental vitiligo was the predominant subtype, with frequent facial and acral involvement, meaningful comorbidity and psychosocial burden, and clear subtype-specific clinical differences. These findings support phenotype-informed counseling and targeted screening in routine practice. .