A drug normally used to treat rheumatoid arthritis has restored colour to a Connecticut woman with vitiligo, a skin disorder characterized by splotchy pigment that can be psychologically devastating.

The woman’s case, believed to be the first of its kind, is documented in a study published in the latest edition of JAMA Dermatology.

Linda Lachance, 53, told CTVNews.ca she noticed some white blotches on her hands two years ago that she thought was a rash, fungus or allergic reaction. The blotches spread to her arms and face, and soon covered 10 per cent of her body.

Hands before and after treatment for vitiligo

It turned out to be vitiligo, a non-contagious pigment disorder that perhaps most famously affected Michael Jackson. Canadian model Chantelle Winnie also has the disorder.

Jackson did not speak about his vitiligo publicly, and Lachance speculates his silence was caused by the stigma.

“You’re constantly focused on it. If you go to the grocery store and hand somebody a credit card, they’re are afraid you have something (they) can catch,” she said. “I couldn’t even look in the mirror because every day (I was) afraid to see a little spot.”

It got so bad about a year ago that Lachance tried started light treatment, which is costly, must be done two or three times a week, and doesn’t last forever -- even among the patients who find it effective. Steroid creams are also used to treat the condition.

Unsatisfied, Lachance sought another option from Yale School of Medicine dermatologist Dr. Brett King.

King had experimented with using the drug tofacitinib citrate -- a type of Janus kinase inhibitor -- to treat a genetically-related disease known as alopecia areata, characterized by hair loss. The drug appeared to have worked in that case.

“He said, ‘If it worked for that, it should work for this. Are you willing to try it?’ ” Lachance recalled.

Lachance stopped the light therapy after only a few treatments and began taking a low dosage of tofacitinib citrate. Less than two months later, she noticed specks of pigment within her white blotches.

King confirmed she was gaining pigment back. A few months later -- about five months after starting the treatment -- the white blotches were almost completely gone.

Lachance is still on the drug and said she is still improving.

Although she has noticed no side effects, the U.S. drug maker lists possible complications, including a lowered ability to fight infections, increased risk of cancer, immune system problems, tears in the stomach and intestines and changes in lab results.

King cautioned that further research is necessary to confirm the drug’s safety and effectiveness, but said it could nonetheless “revolutionize treatment of an awful disease.”