title: Off-label uses of topical vitamin D in dermatology: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Topical vitamin D is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of psoriasis but is also used off-label in the treatment of a variety of cutaneous diseases despite a lack of evidence-based guidelines.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to provide evidence-based clinical guidelines for the off-label use of topical vitamin D in the treatment of dermatologic disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature review was conducted via the MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL databases for off-label uses of topical vitamin D analogues in the treatment of dermatologic disease other than psoriasis. The data were synthesized, and evidence-based recommendations were rendered according to the highest level of evidence available.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 165 articles met the inclusion criteria. A moderate to strong recommendation was given for the use of topical vitamin D in combination with corticosteroids and phototherapy in vitiligo and as monotherapy for various ichthyoses, morphea, pityriasis alba, prurigo nodularis, and polymorphous light eruption. There is evidence showing that topical vitamin D is ineffective in the treatment of actinic keratosis, seborrheic keratosis, lichen planus, seborrheic dermatitis, alopecia areata, chemotherapy-induced alopecia, and hypertrophic scars.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical vitamin D analogues have an important role in the off-label treatment of dermatologic disease, but higher quality studies are still required.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wat
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dytoc
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D056687:Off-Label Use; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D