Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD

A recent JAMA Dermatology analysis refines mild-moderate-severe cutoffs for vitiligo, but Dr. Desai and Dr. Lal argue that psychosocial burden, anatomic site, and cultural context can make even limited disease profoundly severe for patients.

Halting progression early is more achievable than reversing it. Dr. Rosmarin details how oral steroids control active disease while payer barriers persist for later-line options, and Jason explains how benefit design and step therapy shape access.

Body surface area offers a simple starting point for gauging vitiligo severity, but the panel argues that phenotype markers, anatomic location, and disease activity carry more weight in shaping treatment urgency than surface area alone.

Vitiligo's clinical course splits into segmental and non-segmental presentations, each carrying a distinct prognosis. Dr. Rosmarin explains how disease activity, not just extent, determines whether a patient needs urgent intervention or watchful monitoring.

Seemal R Desai, MD, FAAD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), emphasized his commitment to enhancing the upcoming 2025 annual meeting by introducing new events and expanding educational offerings to better serve and engage members.