Sarcouncil Journal of Medical Series

Abstract: Background : Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin disorder that affects people of all ages, regardless of gender. The etiology of vitiligo includes both hereditary and environmental factors. During the progression of vitiligo, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) may play a significant role. Therefore, this study evaluated the role of H. pylori seropositivity in patients having vitiligo compared to normal individuals. Method: H. pylori infection was tested by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test for 72 Vitiligo patients and 68 healthy controls, which matched by sex and age for both groups. SPSS software version 20.0 was used to analyze the collected data. T-tests and ANOVA tests were used to compare the two groups. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Vitiligo patients had higher mean levels of IgG (29.4 ± 28.21) RU/mL) than (18.6 ± 20.18 RU/mL) in healthy controls (P < 0.000). Moreover, there was no significant difference between groups based on the level of IgM (P < 0.203). In the vitiligo group, IgG or IgM means were different compared to age (P < 0.35)/ (P < 0.014), respectively. Unlike IgG, there was a significant difference between the mean levels of IgM, the onset age of vitiligo (P < 0.024). Moreover, males and females with vitiligo had a higher seropositivity to H. pylori antibodies than the control group. Conclusion Vitiligo was associated with H. pylori in patients in Baghdad. Consequently, it was likely that H. pylori played an important role in the onset or progression of disease activity in vitiligo.