Which autoimmune disease is vitiligo commonly associated with?

Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin condition characterized by the loss of melanocytes, leading to patches of skin that are lighter than the surrounding areas. It is commonly associated with other autoimmune diseases, particularly type 1 diabetes. In individuals with type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Similarly, in vitiligo, an autoimmune response leads to the destruction of melanocytes in the skin.

The relationship between vitiligo and type 1 diabetes may be attributed to shared genetic and environmental factors that contribute to autoimmune disorders. Individuals with one autoimmune condition are at an increased risk for developing additional autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes.

While vitiligo has been linked to other autoimmune conditions like lupus erythematosus and Graves' disease, type 1 diabetes has a more established connection, making it the most common association in this context.