International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-78021052019051820392039ENFood Security Research Center, Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan & Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, TehranChild Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non‑communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, IsfahanSkin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, IsfahanDepartment of Community Nutrition, Food Security Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, IsfahanSkin and Leishmania Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan & Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, TehranSkin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan20190518<p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Background</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Previous studies indicated the effect of fat on autoimmune diseases. The present study was aimed to investigate the association between fat intake and vitiligo. </span></p><p><strong></strong><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Methods</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">This case–control study was conducted in the Skin and Leishmania Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Intakes of fatty acids were examined for their relation to risk of vitiligo among 100 cases and 110 controls. We included patients who suffered from generalized or localized<br />vitiligo for &lt;5 years that was approved by a dermatologist via the Vitiligo European Task Force criteria and the vitiligo area scoring index. Fat intake was assessed through individual interviews by a standardized food frequency questionnaire. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Results</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Vitiligo group consumed more saturated fatty acid (SFA) and less eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid than control group, while other<br />fatty acids were not signifcantly different among two groups (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">&gt; 0.05). Crude analysis showed that total fat (odds ratio [OR] = 3.33, 95% confdence interval [CI]: 1.46–7.58) and SFA (OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.04–4.90) intakes were associated with an increased risk of vitiligo (for highest quartile vs. lowest quartile). Results demonstrated a decrease in the risk of vitiligo for those within the highest<br />quartile of monounsaturated fatty acids intake (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.18–0.92). However, this relationship disappeared after adjustment for confounders as energy, age, sex, and body mass index, except for total fat (OR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.63–5.44). Crude and adjusted analyses for polyunsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol intake were not statistically signifcant.</span></p><p><strong></strong><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Conclusions</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Total‑fat content of the diet had more impressive role than the specifc subclasses of fats on the incidence risk of vitiligo. High‑fat diet escalated the vitiligo risk. Regarding the role of fats on skin autoimmune diseases especially vitiligo, future studies are crucial.<br /></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0" style="color: #00652e;"><strong>Keywords</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle3">Autoimmune diseases, fatty acids, vitiligo</span></p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2039http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2039/717717858