Simvastatin and non-segmental vitiligo: A new potential treatment option?

There is a paucity of data about the impact of systemic statins on vitiliginous lesions in non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) patients. To the best of our knowledge, no other studies have considered the correlation between lipid disturbances in vitiligo and vitiligo disease activity (VIDA) score. We sought in this study to evaluate the influence of simvastatin on vitiliginous lesions in NSV patients with dyslipidemia and study the correlation between VIDA score and lipid profile. This clinical trial started with 120 patients with NSV, 79 patients had dyslipidemia and received simvastatin 80 mg daily (till normalization of lipid profile or for 4 months, which came first) and only 63 patients continued till the end of the study. Lipid profile, vitiligo area severity index and VIDA were assessed before and 6 months after the end of simvastatin use. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein, and LDL/HDL ratio showed statistically significant increases in the NSV than in the control group (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between VIDA and serum levels of TC and LDL and with LDL/HDL ratio. Simvastatin significantly improved the lipid profile and significantly decreased VIDA (p < 0.011). Negative moderate correlation was found between the decrease in VIDA and duration of disease (r = -0.562, p < 0.001). Simvastatin 80 mg daily could be a helpful treatment for NSV patients with dyslipidemia, controlling the vitiligo activity and protecting against the hazardous effects of dyslipidemia. Better results can be obtained in patients with short duration of the disease.

Automated summary

This study is the first to consider the correlation between lipid disturbances and vitiligo disease activity. The results demonstrate that simvastatin can improve lipid profile and reduce vitiligo activity in patients with non-segmental vitiligo and dyslipidemia.