Association between vitiligo and risk of retinal detachment: a population-based cohort study in Taiwan

Abstract

Abstract Background Vitiligo is reportedly associated with several ocular abnormalities. However, the relationship between vitiligo and retinal detachment (RD) remains unclear. Objectives To examine the risk of RD in patients with vitiligo. Methods A nationwide population-based cohort study was conducted using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database from 2007 to 2018. A total of 21 132 patients with vitiligo were matched in a 1 : 4 ratio with people without vitiligo by age, sex and comorbidity propensity score. Cumulative incidence and Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate the risk of RD in patients with vitiligo. Subgroup analysis was performed. Results The cohort with vitiligo had a significantly higher rate of RD than the cohort without vitiligo [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20–1.72; P < 0.001]. Patients with vitiligo who required treatments such as phototherapy, systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressants exhibited an even greater risk of RD (aHR 1.57, 95% CI 1.16–2.14; P = 0.004). Conclusions Our study revealed a 1.44-fold increased risk of RD in patients with vitiligo, with an even higher risk in patients receiving phototherapy, systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressants. The risk remained consistently higher over a 10-year follow-up period.