An open labeled, comparative clinical study on efficacy and tolerability of oral minipulse of steroid (OMP) alone, OMP with PUVA and broad / narrow band UVB phototherapy in progressive vitiligo.
BACKGROUND
Several modalities of treatment have been tried in vitiligo with varied results; however, Indian data on comparative studies of two or more therapies are limited.


OBJECTIVE
We compared different phototherapy methods with an oral steroid as an adjunct to determine the method with the best tolerability and efficacy.


METHODS
Eighty-six patients with progressive vitiligo were randomly assigned to different study groups according to a continuous selection method over a period of one year. Group 1 was given OMP + PUVA, group 2 OMP + UVB (NB), group 3 OMP + UVB (BB) and group 4 was given OMP alone. Each patient was followed up for six months and then released from treatment. Clinical evaluation was made at the end of three and six months.


RESULTS
In group 1 (OMP + PUVA), marked improvement was seen in 18.51% while moderate improvement was seen in 66.66% of the patients. Marked improvement was seen in 37.03% in group 2 (OMP + NB-UVB) while 44.44% had moderate improvement. In group 3 (OMP + BB UVB), 8.33% showed marked improvement while moderate improvement was seen in 25% of the patients. Marked and moderate improvement was seen in 5 and 10% of group 4 (OMP) patients, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study compared four treatment modalities in vitiligo patients, out of which oral minipulse of steroids (OMP) only had an adjunct value and was not very effective by itself. Narrow band UVB has a definite edge over broad band UVB and should be preferred when both options are available. NB-UVB and PUVA showed comparable efficacy.
Rath
Namita
N
Department of Dermatology and STD, Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi, India. hkkar_2000@yahoo.com
Kar
H K
HK
Sabhnani
Sunil
S
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011701:PUVA Therapy; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
D013256:Steroids