title: Comparison of efficacy of narrow band UVB therapies with UVB alone, in combination with calcipotriol, and with betamethasone and calcipotriol in vitiligo.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of three therapies in the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo: a combination of topical calcipotriol, narrowband-ultraviolet B (NB-UVB), and betamethasone therapies; a combination of NB-UVB and topical calcipotriol; and NB-UVB alone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five patients with non-segmental vitiligo presenting to our Dermatology clinic were recruited to participate in the study. Patients were randomly divided into three groups. For each patient the size of the depigmented areas was assessed according to the rule of nines. The first group was treated with a combination of topical calcipotriol, NB-UVB, and betamethasone therapies. The second group was treated with a combination of NB-UVB and topical calcipotriol and third group was treated with NB-UVB alone. Since the patients' vitiligo lesions had similar phototypes, all patients were started with 0.1 j/cm(2), regardless of their skin phototype. The dose of NB-UVB was increased 10% in each session and no further increment was done after reaching 2.5 j/cm(2). Treatment effectiveness was evaluated according to the percentage improvement in repigmentation. The quality of life of the patients was measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients were aged from 13 to 55 years (mean: 25.29). The duration of disease ranged from 3 months to 20 years. Family history was positive for vitiligo in 10 patients (22.2%). The percentage of recovery after treatment was 63.33% ± 7.55 in group 1, 60.67% ± 5.75 in group 2, and 46.67% ± 7.98 in group 3. There was no statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 2, and groups 2 and 3, but there was a statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 3 (p = 0.0048).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, NB-UVB-alone therapy and the combined therapies are effective treatment options in the treatment of vitiligo. Future studies with larger groups are warranted to confirm our results.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Atatürk University Faculty of Medicine , Erzurum , Turkey.
authors: Necmettin
authors: N
authors: Akdeniz
authors: Ibrahim Halil
authors: IH
authors: Yavuz
authors: Serap
authors: S
authors: Gunes Bilgili
authors: Goknur
authors: G
authors: Ozaydın Yavuz
authors: Omer
authors: O
authors: Calka
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000379:methods; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; C055085:calcipotriene; D001623:Betamethasone; D002117:Calcitriol