Vitiligo, NB-UVB and tacrolimus: our experience in Naples.

Abstract

AIM:

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) compared with tacrolimus ointment 0.1% in patients with bilateral vitiligo.

METHODS:

In this comparative study, four groups of patients were randomized. Each group was composed by 12 patients with bilateral vitiligo; in each group, every patient was irradiated with NB-UVB (length: 311 nm) twice a week for 9 months and applied tacrolimus ointment 0.1% twice a day on the other area in the same period. Before starting therapy and after 3, 6 and 9 months of therapy, a clinical and photographic evaluation of percentage of repigmentation was performed and Dermatology Life Quality Index Questionnaire was fulfilled.

RESULTS:

A repigmentation at least partial occurred in 71% of patients after 36 weeks of treatment with tacrolimus ointment 0.1%; in the whole sample, 14 patients (29%) showed no repigmentation at all, with 2 of them discontinuing the therapy because of side effects (erythema and folliculitis-like manifestations). A homogeneous repigmentation at least partial occurred in 69% of patients after 36 weeks of treatment with NB-UVB; in the whole sample 15 patients (31%) showed no repigmentation at all, with 1 of them discontinuing the therapy because of side effects.

CONCLUSION:

The present study confirmed that the efficacy of NB-UVB phototherapy in vitiligo is comparable to tacrolimus ointment 0.1% therapy. On the basis of our study, we may suggest tacrolimus ointment 0.1% as an alternative to NB-UVB therapy for treating vitiligo.

• Authors: A Baldo, G Lodi, P Di Caterino, G Monfrecola
• Journal: Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia (G Ital Dermatol Venereol) Vol. 149 Issue 1 Pg. 123-30 (Feb 2014) ISSN: 0392-0488 [Print] Italy
• PMID: 24566573 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Tacrolimus

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Child
• Epidermis (pathology)
• Erythema (etiology)
• Folliculitis (etiology)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Melanocytes (ultrastructure)
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Skin Pigmentation
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Tacrolimus (therapeutic use)
• Ultraviolet Therapy
• Vitiligo (complications, drug therapy, pathology, radiotherapy)
• Young Adult