title: Comparative Evaluation of Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection, Narrow Band Ultraviolet B, and their Combination in Alopecia Areata.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alopecia areata (AA), an autoimmune disorder, can affect any hair-bearing area. No treatment so far has produced a consistent response. Narrow band ultraviolet B (NBUVB) has not been studied in its management.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Comparative evaluation of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection, NBUVB, and their combination in AA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients (28 males and 12 females) with at least three patches of hair loss were enrolled after obtaining written informed consent. Patches were subdivided as follows: Patch 1 was injected with triamcinolone acetonide 2.5 mg/ml (total of three injections) at 3 weeks interval. Patch 2 - NBUVB was given twice a week for a total of 12 weeks. Patch 3 - combination of injection and NBUVB. Therapeutic response was recorded as regrowth of terminal hair (G0 to G4).
  
  
  METHODS
  Chi-square test. P < 5% was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of treatment and follow-up, that is, at week 12, more than 50% of hair regrowth was evident in 27 (67.5%) patients with intralesional steroid; 7 (17.5%) with NBUVB; and 25 (62.5%) patients with their combination. This difference in the clinical response was statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intralesional steroid is more effective than NBUVB and their combination is not synergistic in terms of the clinical response in AA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Bharat Bhushan
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Mahajan
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Raman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mahajan
keywords: Alopecia areata; narrow band ultraviolet B; triamcinolone acetonide