title: Comparative study between excimer light and topical antioxidant versus excimer light alone for treatment of vitiligo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitiligo is an acquired idiopathic cutaneous disease characterized by pearly white patches of variable shapes and sizes. Various medical and surgical therapeutic options have been proposed to achieve repigmentation; phototherapy is one of the most efficient options. Topical therapies have been a mainstay of vitiligo treatment, with or without phototherapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of combined topical antioxidant hydrogel and excimer light versus excimer light alone in treating vitiligo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients were included in this comparative, prospective, randomized study. For each patient, at least 2-4 vitiliginous macules were randomly selected and treated while an untreated vitiliginous macule served as control. Lesions were divided into two groups: Group A received combination therapy of daily topical antioxidant plus excimer light, while Group B received only excimer light. Lesions were treated twice a week for a maximum of 24 sessions. Initial fluencies were adjusted individually according to the minimal erythema dose in vitiliginous skin. Efficacy based on repigmentation percentages were blindly evaluated by two independent physicians.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group A lesions showed significant efficacy than group B (p < 0.001), specially on treating UV-sensitive lesions with no side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical antioxidant and excimer light represents a valuable, effective therapy for localized vitiligo.
authors.affiliation: a National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences, Cairo University , Egypt.
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soliman
authors.affiliation: a National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences, Cairo University , Egypt.
authors.forename: Nevien Ahmed
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Samy
authors.affiliation: a National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences, Cairo University , Egypt.
authors.forename: Maha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abo Eittah
authors.affiliation: b Ministry of Health , Cairo , Egypt.
authors.forename: Misr
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hegazy
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003300:Copper / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010205:Pantothenic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004338:Drug Combinations; C000613453:Vitiskin hydrogel; D010205:Pantothenic Acid; D003300:Copper; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D015032:Zinc; D014805:Vitamin B 12
keywords: 308-nm excimer light and topical antioxidant; vitiligo