Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Association with Vitiligo in Indonesian Population.

Introduction: Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting skin disorder due to the loss of melanocyte function in the epidermis and hair follicles. The pathogenesis of vitiligo is multifactorial, with genetics being a predisposing factor. Previous studies had varying results regarding whether or not polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor () gene are associated with the risk of vitiligo in specific populations. This study investigated the association between three frequently analyzed gene polymorphisms () and susceptibility to vitiligo in Indonesian population.

Methods: Thirty-four vitiligo patients and 34 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects aged ≥18 years old were recruited in the Dermatology and Venereology Outpatient Clinic of Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from the peripheral blood using a DNA isolation kit. gene polymorphisms () were investigated using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction-fragment length polymorphism method. The differences of genotype distributions and allele frequencies were statistically compared between case and control groups using Chi-square test.

Results: gene polymorphisms were identified in 68 participants, consisting of Aa (n = 14), aa (n = 20), Bb (n = 15), bb (n = 19), and TT (n = 34) genotypes in the case group. In the control group, Aa (n = 6), aa (n = 28), Bb (n = 17), bb (n = 17), and TT (n = 34) genotypes were identified. However, only subjects with Aa genotype polymorphism had a 3.267-fold increased risk of developing vitiligo.

Conclusion: This study showed that Aa genotype polymorphism of the gene increases the risk of vitiligo in Indonesian population.