Proposal for Guidelines for the Treatment of Vitiligo in Croatia

Abstract

Vitiligo, an acquired depigmentation disorder, because of its impressive clinical presentation has a large impact on psychosocial life of patients. Although the exact etiopathogenesis still remains uncertain, several therapeutic options are available for treatment of this condition. Unfortunately, patients are often confronted with difficulties regarding to receiving suitable therapy. Because of the fact that vitiligo is not contagious and not life-threatening disease, physicians usually do not recognize patients’ problems and consider vitiligo as only a cosmetic problem, which should be treated only by camouflage and sun protection products. On the other hand, because of the lack of the accurate information for patients, a widely open market for different kind of alternative questionable therapies occurs so patients are often experimenting with different types of unproven medications. The need for widely accepted consensus concerning vitiligo treatment and establishment of the therapeutic guidelines exists worldwide. Our aim was to introduce for the first time vitiligo therapy guidelines in Republic of Croatia, based on the evidence-based accepted vitiligo therapy world recommendations and our experience. We present a review of therapy for vitiligo regarding to various vitiligo types and severity of lesions as well adequate therapeutic options. Also, our intention is to improve social component of patient’s life through rising awareness of this condition which affects over 35 million people worldwide.