title: A Comparison of Low-Fluence 1064-nm Q-Switched Nd: YAG Laser with Topical 20% Azelaic Acid Cream and their Combination in Melasma in Indian Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Melasma is an acquired symmetric hypermelanosis characterised by irregular light to gray-brown macules on sun-exposed skin with a predilection for the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, nose and chin. The management of melasma is challenging and requires meticulous use of available therapeutic options.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the therapeutic efficacy of low-fluence Q-switched Nd: YAG laser (QSNYL) with topical 20% azelaic acid cream and their combination in melasma in three study groups of 20 patients each.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty Indian patients diagnosed as melasma were included. These patients were randomly divided in three groups (group A = 20 patients of melasma treated with low-fluence QSNYL at weekly intervals, group B = 20 patients of melasma treated with twice daily application of 20% azelaic acid cream and group C = 20 patients of melasma treated with combination of both). Study period was of 12 weeks each. Response to treatment was assessed using melasma area and severity index score.
  
  
  METHODS
  The statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test, paired and unpaired student t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvement was recorded in all the three groups. The improvement was statistically highly significant in Group C as compared to group A (P < 0.001) and group B (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows the efficacy of low-fluence QSNYL, topical 20% azelaic acid cream and their combination in melasma. The combination of low-fluence QSNYL and topical 20% azelaic acid cream yields better results as compared to low-fluence QSNYL and azelaic acid alone.
authors: Department of Dermatology, STD and Leprosy, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and PGIMER, New Delhi, Delhi, India.
authors: Charu
authors: C
authors: Bansal
authors: Hira
authors: H
authors: Naik
authors: Hemanta K
authors: HK
authors: Kar
authors: Amrita
authors: A
authors: Chauhan
keywords: Azelaic acid; Q-switched Nd-YAG laser; low-fluence laser melasma
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