Abstract |
Autoimmunity is one of the most probable pathogenesis of vitiligo. Systemic corticosteroids may arrest the progression of vitiligo and lead to repigmentation by suppressing immunity. The clinical efficacy of low-dose oral corticosteroids was assessed to minimize the side-effects in actively spreading vitiligo patients. One hundred (100) patients with vitiligo were evaluated. The patients took daily doses of oral prednisolone (0.3 mg/kg body weight) initially as a single oral dose after breakfast for the first 2 months. The dosage was then reduced to half the initial dose during the 3rd month and was halved again for the 4th and final month. After 4 months of treatment, 76% showed repigmentation while the arrest of progression (both repigmentation and stationary) was noted in 90% of patients. Male sex, and patients under 15 years of age showed pronounced repigmentation with statistical significance. According to this study low-dose oral prednisolone is an effective method in preventing progression and inducing repigmentation of fast-spreading vitiligo without the associated serious side-effects.
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Authors | K Banerjee, J N Barbhuiya, A P Ghosh, S K Dey, P R Karmakar |
Journal | Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology
(Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol)
2003 Mar-Apr
Vol. 69
Issue 2
Pg. 135-7
ISSN: 0973-3922 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 17642858
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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