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Research

VIRTUAL-UK

Who We Are?

Vitiligo is a persistent or chronic condition in which areas of skin lose their normal pigment (colour), it is common (1-in-100 people), and it affects people of all ages.

The VIRTUAL-UK (VItiligo RegisTry for adUlts And chiLdren) registry was set up in 2025 as a long-term real-world study which collects data on the safety and effectiveness of a range of Vitiligo treatments. It is a multicentre observational study following adults and children with Vitiligo over time.

VIRTUAL-UK is co-managed and funded by the BAD and is sponsored by Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. Additional financial support is received from pharmaceutical companies.

The activities of VIRTUAL-UK are directed by the following committees:

  • The Steering Committee provides strategic oversight of the study
  • The Data Monitoring Committee will provide independent oversight of safety data collected

 

What We do

Using prospectively collected observational data VIRTUAL-UK aims to increase the understanding of vitiligo management. Novel topical and oral immunomodulatory therapies have just entered Vitiligo clinical practice in the NHS, which makes this the ideal time to collect high-quality data using a purpose-built secure database; with the facility for patients to enter their own data.

The primary objectives of the Registry are to:

  • Assess treatment safety and effectiveness by monitoring real-world outcomes of vitiligo treatments
  • Identify disease progression patterns and patient subgroups
  • Evaluate impact on quality of life: how does treatment affect patients’ daily live and wellbeing
  • Assess real-world pharmacodynamics in vitiligo patients
  • Address skin cancer risks

As a result, this registry will ultimately improve and personalize the management of people with Vitiligo.

The published protocol can be found here

and a relevant publication here.

The pilot phase of VIRTUAL-UK is being rolled out across interested dermatology departments across the UK, with sites currently planned in these NHS trusts:

  1. Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
  2. Walsall Manor NHS Healthcare Trust
  3. University Hospitals of Leicester
  4. Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
  5. Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
  6. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

VIRTUAL-UK is part of a global collaboration of vitiligo registries called VIRTUAL-GLOBAL, which connects national registries to combine findings on treatments, outcomes, and safety. This will improve care for people with vitiligo worldwide. More information can be found here.

How To Get Involved

There are several ways to take part in VIRTUAL-UK:

If you are a clinician and/or BAD member:

Clinicians, BAD members, and dermatology departments interested in participating in VIRTUAL-UK are invited to get involved.

If your department would like to join as a participating site, or if you would like more information, please contact Viktoria Eleftheriadou: viktoria.eleftheriadou@nhs.net

VIRTUAL-UK has been adopted onto the NIHR portfolio and is registered for the NIHR Associate PI Investigator scheme. This six month in-work training scheme is an excellent opportunity for trainees to gain valuable experience in clinical research.

Anyone interested should contact Viktoria Eleftheriadou: viktoria.eleftheriadou@nhs.net who would be happy to discuss this opportunity.

If you are a patient:

If you’re living with vitiligo and receiving care at a participating NHS Trust, you may be invited to join the registry by the local VIRTUAL-UK investigator.

If your NHS Trust does not currently participate in VIRTUAL-UK, you can tell your dermatology team about the registry and encourage them to consider joining. They can find out more information about how to do this by emailing Viktoria Eleftheriadou: viktoria.eleftheriadou@nhs.net

If you are a pharmaceutical company, researcher or other stakeholder:

We welcome collaboration with pharmaceutical companies, academic researchers, and other stakeholders who share our goal in improving outcomes for people with vitiligo.

If you are a pharmaceutical company please email shehnaz@bad.org.uk to find out more.

If you are a researcher or other stakeholder please email email Viktoria Eleftheriadou: viktoria.eleftheriadou@nhs.net for further information.

By joining VIRTUAL-UK and partnering with us, you can support ongoing pharmacovigilance efforts and collaborate in shaping research priorities.

Quotation Mark

VIRTUAL-UK is redefining how we personalise treatment by uncovering predictors of therapeutic response.

Associate Professor, Viktoria Eleftheriadou
Quotation Mark

As a patient, it was an enormous privilege to be part of the founding of the VIRTUAL-UK registry. Vitiligo is, from the patient's perspective, a neglected disease in terms of trials seeking a treatment specifically for the disease, and in terms of medical awareness of its complexity and the extent of its impact on daily life. This registry will allow data to be collected that can provide accurate information on how vitiligo responds to both existing and new treatments, on how the disease actually presents in patients, and also undertake the extremely important task of reinforcing the message of vitiligo's impact on the quality of life for vitiligo patients.

Emma Rush, Vitiligo Support UK
Quotation Mark

With new vitiligo treatments entering clinical practice, VIRTUAL-UK is essential for capturing real-world effectiveness and long-term safety data, ensuring that outcomes which matter to patients are reflected in future care.

Alex Schneider, Trustee, The Vitiligo Society