Introduction of the Vitiligo Clinic and Pigment Research Center (ViPC)

 

The Vitiligo Clinic and Pigment Research Center (ViPC) was established in 2022 at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, founded by Dr. Chau Yee Ng. The center aims to provide comprehensive, holistic care for vitiligo patients through a multidisciplinary team effort.

Goals of Holistic Treatment

The primary goal of the Vitiligo Clinic and Pigment Research Center (ViPC) is to offer comprehensive treatment for vitiligo patients through multidisciplinary collaboration.
The center integrates expertise and resources from the following specialties:
  1. Dermatology: Vitiligo requires thorough dermatological examination and diagnosis. Accurate assessment is achieved by observing the characteristics and distribution of lesions and using precise diagnostic tools such as polarized light microscopy and Wood's lamp.
  2. Psychiatry: Provides psychological support and therapy to help patients cope with the mental stress caused by the disease.
  3. Internal Medicine: Vitiligo is often associated with other internal medical conditions, with thyroid abnormalities (such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis) being the most common. During vitiligo clinic visits, blood tests are conducted, and if related internal conditions are detected, they are treated concurrently.
  4. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Offers adjunct treatment options through traditional Chinese herbal medicine.
This integrative treatment approach enhances the effectiveness of medical care and supports patients' mental health and quality of life.

Precision Diagnosis and Innovative Research

The Vitiligo Clinic and Pigment Research Center (ViPC) combines basic and clinical research to explore more precise diagnostic methods and treatment approaches, including:
  1. Skin Imaging Diagnostics: High-resolution skin imaging technology helps doctors observe and analyze skin pigment changes more clearly.
  2. Biomarker Development: Research and development of specific biomarkers for more accurate diagnosis and monitoring.
  3. Immunomodulatory Drug Development: Research on the mechanisms of autoimmunity and drug development, along with clinical trials, to reduce the formation of vitiligo.
  4. Pigment Cell Regeneration: Exploring methods to promote melanocyte regeneration, restoring normal skin pigmentation.
These research efforts and innovations bring new hope to vitiligo patients and are expected to offer more effective treatment options in the future.

Since its establishment in 2022, the Vitiligo Clinic and Pigment Research Center (ViPC) has been dedicated to providing holistic care for vitiligo patients through the collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary team. Continuous innovation in diagnostic and therapeutic methods has enhanced treatment outcomes and helped patients better cope with and manage this chronic condition, thereby improving their quality of life.

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