Serum Copper Levels in Vitiligo Patients: A Case-Control Study in Western Rajasthan
Harshita Rathi, Paras Choudhary, Nripen Kachhawa, Chinmai Yadav, Rahul Singrodia, Dilip KachhawaBackground:
Vitiligo has multifactorial and polygenic inheritance. Multiple studies have explained the role of copper in the etiology and pathogenesis of vitiligo, still the controversies persist.
Purpose:
The aim of this study is to assess and compare the serum level of copper in vitiligo patients with the controls of the Western Rajasthan population.
Methods:
Ninety patients were recruited in this study – 45 in the study group and 45 in the control group. Blood samples were collected, and serum copper levels were analyzed. Serum copper level was measured by Mindray (automation).
Results:
The mean serum copper level in the study group and control group was 136.46 ± 41.45 µg/ml and 108.84 ± 15.98 µg/ml, respectively. The significantly increased level of copper level was seen in vitiligo patients as compared to the control group.
Conclusion:
This study found that the serum copper level was significantly increased in vitiligo patients of the Western Rajasthan population; still, further studies are required to prove the exact role of trace elements in vitiligo and other autoimmune diseases.