The comparison of treatment with clobetasol propionate 0.05% and topical pimecrolimus 1% treatment in the treatment of alopecia areata.

BACKGROUND

Alopecia areata (AA) is a non-scarring hair loss.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed the comparison of clobetasol propionate and pimecrolimus efficiency and tolerability in the treatment of AA.

METHODS

The study included a total of 100 consecutive patients with AA. Patients were randomized into four groups. 30 patients used 1% pimecrolimus cream, 30 patients used 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream, 20 patients used petrolatum as placebo. Scalp of 20 patients was divided into two equal areas and one area was treated with 1% pimecrolimus cream and the other area with 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream.

RESULTS

At week 12 of treatment, the recovery rate of the pimecrolimus group was 53.73 ± 44.49 and the recovery score was 3.63 ± 2.07; that of the clobetasol propionate group was 47.00 ± 44.80 and the recovery score was 3.33 ± 2.20; that of the placebo group was 35.50 ± 40.53 and the recovery score was 2.75 ± 1.88. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups in terms of the percentage of recovery and the recovery score (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we detected that topical pimecrolimus treatment is as effective as topical corticosteroids and is superior to topical corticosteroids in terms of side effects in the treatment of AA.