Topical tacrolimus significantly promotes repigmentation in idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
BACKGROUND
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) is an idiopathic disorder affecting a large number of people. Effective treatments are not yet available. Objectives To investigate the efficacy of topical 0.1% tacrolimus ointment compared with placebo in the treatment of IGH.


METHODS
Twenty-six patients were included in the study. Lesions on one side of the body were selected to have a treatment with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment, whereas those on the other side served as a control with placebo ointment that had the same physical appearance. Colorimeter was used to assess skin colour at baseline and at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 months of treatment.


RESULTS
Mean luminosity scale after adjusted for baseline from the treated side gradually decreased and reached statistical significance compared with the control group after 6 months of treatment (P = 0.019). Physicians' improvement grading score showed that 11% of the patients demonstrated improvement of their skin lesions on the treated side after 6 months' treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical 0.1% tacrolimus ointment appeared to be an effective and safe treatment for IGH. The improvements were best observed by colorimetry, yet, they were not statistically significant upon clinical assessments.
Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand. pawineererk@yahoo.co.th
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Rerknimitr
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Disphanurat
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Achariyakul
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003124:Colorimetry; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017496:Hypopigmentation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010919:Placebos; D016559:Tacrolimus