Topical calcipotriene and narrowband ultraviolet B in the treatment of vitiligo.

BACKGROUND

Treatment of vitiligo, despite significant advances made in the past few years, remains to be a challenge. Narrowband ultraviolet (NB-UVB) has emerged as an important therapeutic option for this condition.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether the combination of calcipotriene ointment and NB-UVB could enhance the efficacy of NB-UVB alone.

METHODS

An open, bilateral comparison study was performed in 20 patients with symmetrical vitiligo between August 2001 and October 2002. All patients received NB-UVB three times per week. Calcipotriene ointment was applied to lesions on the left side of the body. Response was graded visually as significant (66-100% repigmentation), moderate (26-65%), mild (10-25%), and minimal (< 10%).

RESULTS

Seventeen patients (six females, 11 males) completed the study. Eight patients (8/17=47%) had significant repigmentation after 67-180 treatments, six patients (35%), one patient (6%), and two patients (12%) had moderate, mild, and minimal repigmentation after 40-160, 57, and 14-21 treatments, respectively. Nine of the 17 patients had an appreciably better improvement on the NB-UVB and calcipotriene side by 29-114 treatments. In six of these patients, differences were still observed at the end of the study period. No side effects were noted.

CONCLUSION

Combination therapy of topical calcipotriene and NB-UVB is a therapeutic option that could be considered in the management of patients with vitiligo.