title: Vitiligo, NB-UVB and tacrolimus: our experience in Naples.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) compared with tacrolimus ointment 0.1% in patients with bilateral vitiligo.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this comparative study, four groups of patients were randomized. Each group was composed by 12 patients with bilateral vitiligo; in each group, every patient was irradiated with NB-UVB (length: 311 nm) twice a week for 9 months and applied tacrolimus ointment 0.1% twice a day on the other area in the same period. Before starting therapy and after 3, 6 and 9 months of therapy, a clinical and photographic evaluation of percentage of repigmentation was performed and Dermatology Life Quality Index Questionnaire was fulfilled.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A repigmentation at least partial occurred in 71% of patients after 36 weeks of treatment with tacrolimus ointment 0.1%; in the whole sample, 14 patients (29%) showed no repigmentation at all, with 2 of them discontinuing the therapy because of side effects (erythema and folliculitis-like manifestations). A homogeneous repigmentation at least partial occurred in 69% of patients after 36 weeks of treatment with NB-UVB; in the whole sample 15 patients (31%) showed no repigmentation at all, with 1 of them discontinuing the therapy because of side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study confirmed that the efficacy of NB-UVB phototherapy in vitiligo is comparable to tacrolimus ointment 0.1% therapy. On the basis of our study, we may suggest tacrolimus ointment 0.1% as an alternative to NB-UVB therapy for treating vitiligo.
authors.affiliation: Section of Clinical, Allergological and Venerological Dermatology Department of Clinical Medicin and Surgery University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy - antonello.baldo@unina.it.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baldo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lodi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Di Caterino
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Monfrecola
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004817:Epidermis / Q000473:pathology; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D005499:Folliculitis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016559:Tacrolimus