Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to synthesize available French data on vitiligo epidemiology, disease management, quality of life (QoL), and economic burden through a systematic literature review (SLR), and to identify evidence gaps relevant to health technology assessment (HTA) in France.
METHODS: Four parallel SLRs were conducted on PubMed up to July 2025 and grey literature (HAS reports, learned societies, patient associations), targeting non-segmental vitiligo in adults and adolescents (≥12 years) in France. Only publications in French and English were retained, with no restriction on the search period. The selection was subject to double-blind review. The economic analysis was extended to Europe due to insufficient French data.
RESULTS: Of 120 references screened, 64 were included. Vitiligo prevalence in France was estimated at 0.46%-0.71%, with diagnostic typically before age 30, commonly affecting visible areas such as face (34.0%-83.0%) and hands (12.0%-78.8%). Mean diagnostic delay was 1.7 years, with 63% of patients initially misdiagnosed. Ruxolitinib cream is the only treatment currently approved in Europe for non-segmental vitiligo with facial involvement. A substantial psychosocial burden was observed, with a higher proportion of patients with vitiligo having been treated for depression compared with the control group (18.2% vs. 14.6%, respectively). The PUSH-D (Patient Unique Stigmatization Holistic tool in Dermatology) score was 3.3 for visible lesions to the face and hands, compared to 0.8 for covered areas. No French cost data were identified. European evidence from Italy estimated an annual direct medical cost of €80M, with 95% borne by patients. No cost-effectiveness analysis exists for any vitiligo treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: This SLR reveals significant unmet needs in vitiligo care in France: delayed diagnosis, limited licensed treatments, low treatment uptake, and substantial psychosocial burden. European data confirm a non-negligible economic burden largely borne by patients, reinforcing the need for dedicated French cost of illness studies.