Evaluation of serum C-reactive protein/albumin ratio in vitiligo patients.

Abstract

Introduction. Vitiligo is an acquired chronic disease of the skin and mucous membranes, characterized by well-circumscribed depigmented macules and patches resulting from melanocyte damage. C-reactive protein is secreted by the liver in response to inflammatory cytokines. Albumin, also synthesized by the liver, exhibits reduced levels during acute inflammation.
Aim. To estimate the serum C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio in vitiligo patients and determine whether it can differentiate between active and stable vitiligo.
Patients and methods. This study was conducted at the Dermatology and Venereology Outpatient Clinic of the Medical Excellence Center at the National Research Centre between June 2024 and July 2025, involving 42 vitiligo patients aged 18 to 55 years, following ethical committee approval. Vitiligo patients were divided into two groups: active and stable. Healthy individuals served as the control group. Blood samples were evaluated for serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin levels 
Results. The mean serum CRP level in the active vitiligo group was higher (4.48±2.50) than in the stable group (3.25±0.57), and both were higher than in the control group (2.02±0.36). Similarly, the CRP-to-albumin ratio (CAR) showed statistically significant results across all comparisons. Therefore, serum CRP levels and CAR may prove useful as innovative biomarkers for assessing vitiligo activity. 
Conclusion. C-reactive protein and CAR are sensitive diagnostic and prognostic markers in several systemic inflammatory disorders; thus, their serial measurement can be helpful in evaluating disease activity.