Beyond Depigmentation: Understanding the Psychosocial Burden of Vitiligo in a Canadian Context

Vitiligo is a common cutaneous autoimmune disorder presenting with depigmented patches of skin. It is often described in textbooks as a cosmetic disease, with disease manifestations confined to the skin. However, for many patients living with vitiligo, this characterization could not be further from the truth. In recent years, the approval of ruxolitinib cream (Opzelura), a topical Janus kinase (JAK)1/2 inhibitor, has renewed clinical and research interest in vitiligo. Prior to this advancement, treatment options for the disease had remained limited. Coupled with this shift in management, emerging evidence highlights that the impact of vitiligo goes well beyond the skin. As new therapies emerge, a nuanced understanding of the disease’s psychosocial impact is paramount to informing dermatologic care, guiding equitable access to treatment, and shaping dermatologic policy within the Canadian context.