Topical immunomodulators are effective for treatment of vitiligo.
Vitiligo is a common, acquired, depigmenting disease of the skin. Although the pathogenesis of vitiligo is still unclear, it is postulated that topical immunomodulators exert therapeutic effects on treatment of vitiligo. We reviewed the treatment of vitiligo with topical immunomodulators and topical steroids to evaluate the efficacy of immunomodulators in treatment of vitiligo. We reviewed 52 patients treated with topical immunomodulators and 27 patients with topical steroids. To evaluate the efficacy, repigmentation of vitiligo was reviewed. Between the two treatments, the duration from the start of treatment to onset of repigmentation was significantly shorter in the topical immunomodulator group (P = 0.002). However, no statistically significant differences were found in sex, age, mean disease duration, sites of vitiligo lesion and ratio of patients who showed response. We may suggest topical immunomodulator as an alternative to topical steroids for treatment of vitiligo.
Choi
Chong Won
CW
Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Kyounggi, Korea.
Chang
Sung Eun
SE
Bak
Hana
H
Choi
Jee Ho
JH
Park
Hyun Sun
HS
Huh
Chang Hun
CH
Kim
Chan Woong
CW
Kim
Sung Eun
SE
Mun
Seog Kyun
SK
Kim
Beom Joon
BJ
Kim
Myeung Nam
MN
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000188:drug therapy*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D009824:Ointments; C117268:pimecrolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus