Prevalence of atopy in vitiligo. A preliminary report.

59 patients suffering from vitiligo were investigated anamnestically and clinically with intradermal (prick tests) and laboratory tests (RAST and total IgE count) for the presence of atopy. Clinical manifestations (allergic rhinitis, asthma) and intense positive prick tests and RAST with an increase in total IgE count were found in 13 patients (22%). This frequency was significantly higher than that found in the normal population in our area (11.9%; p = 0.0212). These patients had a significantly higher incidence of vitiligo in their families (76.9 vs. 29.7% of the non-atopic; p less than 0.025), an earlier onset (14.1 vs. 24 years of the nonatopic) and a rapid worsening of the disease.