Simona Micytė, Vaida Averjanovaitė, Justas Arasimavičius
Abstract
Aim of the study. To present a clinical case of sarcoidosis associated with vitiligo and to analyze scientific literature focusing on potential shared immunopathogenetic mechanisms, clinical characteristics, and the association between these conditions. Methods. A clinical case report and a literature review were conducted using the international medical database “PubMed.” Relevant scientific publications addressing the pathogenesis, immunological mechanisms, and clinical associations of sarcoidosis and vitiligo were analyzed. Results and conclusions. Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease most commonly affecting the lungs and lymph nodes, whereas vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder characterized by melanocyte destruction and depigmented skin lesions. We report a clinical case of a 30-year-old male who was initially diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis and later developed palmar vitiligo. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was confirmed based on clinical, radiological, and histological findings, while vitiligo was diagnosed through dermatological and dermatoscopic examination. Literature data indicate that both diseases share similar immunopathogenetic pathways, including T-cell dysregulation, activation of the Th1/Th17 axis, cytokine imbalance, and genetic susceptibility. This case contributes to the growing body of evidence suggesting an association between sarcoidosis and vitiligo and highlights the importance of comprehensive patient evaluation in clinical practice. a systemic granulomatous disease of the lungs and lymph nodes with non-caseating granuloma formation [3]. Despite being distinct, both diseases share T-cell–mediated immune dysregulation, including Th1/Th17 responses and increased production of interferon-γ and TNF-α [2]. Emerging clinical and epidemiological evidence has suggested that these two disorders may coexist more frequently than by chance alone. Population-level analyses demonstrate a significant association between vitiligo and an increased risk of sarcoidosis, suggesting shared disease susceptibility [4, 5]. These findings have prompted further investigation into the clinical implications of this association [4]. Aim of the study. To present a clinical case of sarcoidosis associated with vitiligo and to analyze scientific literature focusing on potential shared immunopathogenetic mechanisms, clinical characteristics, and the association between these conditions.
Keyword(s): Sarcoidosis, vitiligo, case report, autoimmune diseases, immunopathogenesis.
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