VITILIGO IN COLOMBIA (2021-2025): DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION FROM POPULATION-BASED ADMINISTRATIVE DATA (RIPS)
Author(s)
Natalia Briceno-Patino, MD1, Mariana Bracho Romero, MD1, David Castillo-Molina, MD. Esp1, Kevin Enrique Gamero Tafur, MSc2, Nelson Rafael Alvis Zakzuk, MBA3, Nelson Alvis-Guzman, MPH, PhD, MD4.
1Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia, 2Pharmaser, Cartagena, Colombia, 3ALZAK, Cartagena, Colombia, 4Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla, Colombia.
1Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia, 2Pharmaser, Cartagena, Colombia, 3ALZAK, Cartagena, Colombia, 4Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla, Colombia.
OBJECTIVES: The epidemiology of vitiligo in Colombia has been poorly characterized at the national level. The absence of nationally representative data limits the understanding of its burden and distribution across a heterogeneous country. We aimed to characterize the epidemiology of vitiligo in Colombia using population-based administrative data from a mandatory national reporting system (2021-2025).
METHODS: A descriptive analysis of vitiligo cases registered in the RIPS database was conducted. Morbidity rates were estimated at national and departmental levels, stratified by sex, age group, and health insurance affiliation. Records with missing information were excluded
RESULTS: A total of 120,339 cases were recorded. The recorded morbidity rate increased from 40.4 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2021 to 58.5 in 2024, peaking at 58.8 in 2023. Females exhibited consistently higher rates than males (ratio 1.6:1; 67.2 vs. 40.9 per 100,000 in 2024). Chocó registered the highest departmental rate (803.7 per 100,000 in 2023), while Bogotá had the greatest case volume (9,140 in 2024). Adults aged 40-69 years carried the highest burden, reaching 102.2 per 100,000 in the 65-69 age group in 2024. Over 50% of cases belonged to the contributory scheme, though the subsidized share rose from 31.8% in 2021 to 44.2% in 2025.
CONCLUSIONS: Vitiligo imposes a considerable and growing epidemiological burden in Colombia. The female predominance and adult concentration diverge from globally reported early onset patterns, likely reflecting delayed diagnosis, supported by a secondary peak in the 10-14 age group. The disproportionate burden in Chocó evidences marked regional inequality, underscoring the need to strengthen dermatological surveillance in underserved areas. The rising subsidized scheme share suggests persistent gaps in equitable access to dermatological care.
METHODS: A descriptive analysis of vitiligo cases registered in the RIPS database was conducted. Morbidity rates were estimated at national and departmental levels, stratified by sex, age group, and health insurance affiliation. Records with missing information were excluded
RESULTS: A total of 120,339 cases were recorded. The recorded morbidity rate increased from 40.4 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2021 to 58.5 in 2024, peaking at 58.8 in 2023. Females exhibited consistently higher rates than males (ratio 1.6:1; 67.2 vs. 40.9 per 100,000 in 2024). Chocó registered the highest departmental rate (803.7 per 100,000 in 2023), while Bogotá had the greatest case volume (9,140 in 2024). Adults aged 40-69 years carried the highest burden, reaching 102.2 per 100,000 in the 65-69 age group in 2024. Over 50% of cases belonged to the contributory scheme, though the subsidized share rose from 31.8% in 2021 to 44.2% in 2025.
CONCLUSIONS: Vitiligo imposes a considerable and growing epidemiological burden in Colombia. The female predominance and adult concentration diverge from globally reported early onset patterns, likely reflecting delayed diagnosis, supported by a secondary peak in the 10-14 age group. The disproportionate burden in Chocó evidences marked regional inequality, underscoring the need to strengthen dermatological surveillance in underserved areas. The rising subsidized scheme share suggests persistent gaps in equitable access to dermatological care.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
EPH200
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Sensory System Disorders (Ear, Eye, Dental, Skin)