Herpes Zoster tied with an increased risk of infection in Vitiligo Patients: Study
Written By : Dr. Shravani Dali
Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli
Published On 2026-02-12 02:30 GMT | Update On 2026-02-12 09:08 GMT
Advertisement
Herpes Zoster vaccination may benefit Vitiligo Patients suggests a study published in The Journal of Dermatology.
Emerging therapies for vitiligo, such as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, have raised concerns about an increased risk of herpes zoster (HZ), emphasizing the need to clarify the baseline herpes zoster risk in patients with vitiligo.
This study aimed to determine whether vitiligo itself is associated with a higher risk of herpes zoster and to identify potential modifying factors, including systemic treatments. Using Taiwan's Longitudinal Health Insurance Database from 2010 to 2022, a retrospective nationwide cohort study was conducted. Patients with vitiligo were identified through diagnostic codes and matched in a 1:4 ratio with non-vitiligo controls by age, gender, index date, and comorbidities using propensity score matching. Subgroup analyses evaluated herpes zosterrisk among patients receiving systemic treatments, including phototherapy and immunosuppressants. A total of 79 910 individuals were included after matching.
During the study period, the incidence of herpes zoster was significantly higher in patients with vitiligo than in controls (7.78% vs. 2.72%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, vitiligo remained independently associated with an increased risk of herpes zoster (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.532). The risk of herpes zoster increased with age and was higher among female patients. Subgroup analysis further revealed that vitiligo patients receiving systemic therapy had the greatest susceptibility to herpes zoster, especially those treated with cyclosporine (aHR: 1.891), methotrexate (aHR: 1.981), and systemic corticosteroids (aHR: 1.474). In conclusion, this large population-based study demonstrates that vitiligo is an independent risk factor for herpes zoster, and systemic immunosuppressive therapies further augment this risk. Clinicians should be aware of the potentially increased vulnerability to herpes zoster among patients with vitiligo, particularly in older or female individuals.
These findings may help inform general clinical considerations regarding preventive strategies, including herpes zoster vaccination, to reduce the risk of infection-related complications in this population.
Reference:
B.-S. Lin, C.-H. Chung, T.-H. Weng, et al., “ Elevated Risk of Herpes Zoster in Vitiligo Patients: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study of Taiwan,” The Journal of Dermatology (2026): 1–9, https://doi.org/10.1111/1346-8138.70140.
Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.