Vitiligo And Rheumatoid Arthritis: Drug For Inflamed Joints Helps Skin, Too

New findings published in JAMA Dermatology reveal that a medication typically used to treat rheumatoid arthritis may help restore skin pigmentation in patients with vitiligo.

The common, oftentimes psychologically devastating condition that results in a loss of skin color, is typically treated with steroids. However, this is not always effective in reversing the disease.

Researchers at Yale looked to investigate an existing class of FDA-approved medications known as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors as treatments, according to Science Daily. 

Just last year, Brett King, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology and principal investigator of the research, published a paper regarding the effectiveness of the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib citrate for treating hair loss that's caused by alopecia areata. The researchers believed that the same medicine might potentially be effective for vitiligo.

To test it out, they administered tofacitinib to a 53-year-old patient who had prominent spots covering his face, body and hands. Nearly a year prior to taking tofacitnib, the white spots had been continually increased. Yet within just two months of treatment, he experienced partial repigmentation of the face, hands and arms. Furthermore, after five months, the white spots were nearly gone on his face. Lastly, no adverse side effects were reported throughout the course of the treatment.

The study results bring hope for the future of the health issue. However, more research will be needed to determine both the safety and efficacy of the drug. 

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