Background: Atopic Dermatitis is an emerging public health concern. Recently, several studies have explored the role of Vitamin D in atopic dermatitis. To date, there is no local study using Vitamin D supplementation as an adjunct in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Objective: To determine the efficacy of Vitamin D supplementation in improvement of the disease severity in atopic dermatitis patients. Methods: This is a Randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The participants were newly diagnosed atopic dermatitis patients aged 19 to 50 years old. Participants were randomly assigned to take either 1 capsule of oral Vitamin D supplement (2200 IU/capsule) or a comparable placebo capsule, once daily for 60 days. Vitamin D level and disease severity using SCORAD index was evaluated at the start and end of the study. Results: The mean value of serum Vitamin D levels at the start of treatment was deficient and comparable between the treatment and placebo group. The mean change in the serum Vitamin D levels of patients in the Treatment and Placebo group were 10.4 ng/mL ± 5.8 and -0.4 ng/mL ± 3.5, respectively. The mean change in the SCORAD index scores of patients in the Treatment and Placebo group were -20.2 ± 20.6 and 2.2 ± 6.8, respectively. Result of the two-sample independent t-test showed that the mean change in the SCORAD index scores significantly varied according to treatment group (p<0.0001). Conclusion The results from this study indicate that vitamin D supplementation may ameliorate clinical signs of the disease and can be considered as a safe and well-tolerated form of therapy.
Dermatitis, Atopic

BACKGROUND

Despite the widespread prevalence of pattern hair loss, treatment options remain limited. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a promising alternative but is hindered by high costs and a lack of standardized protocols. In the Philippines, only one FDA-approved PRP kit is available, leading to interest in whether Acid Citrate Dextrose Solution A (ACD-A) tube could provide equivalent results. Additionally, international research on different anticoagulant preparations is lacking, with no studies conducted in the Philippines.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if the efficacy and safety of PRP therapy using ACD-A and Sodium Citrate (SC) PRP Kit are equivalent in the treatment of adult pattern hair loss.

METHODS

A single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, equivalence trial. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or a treatment group receiving ACD-A or SC PRP Kit preparations. Treatments were administered monthly for six sessions. Hair growth was assessed at baseline and after each session using global photography, hair classification system, and trichoscopy.

RESULTS

A total of 48 participants completed the study, divided into three groups of 16 participants each. Mean hair density scores for the ACD-A and SC KIT groups, along with 95% confidence intervals for mean differences at various timeframes, fell within the equivalence margin of ±16 hair follicles/cm2. Minimal adverse effects were observed throughout the study.

CONCLUSION

ACD-A produces results equivalent to the SC PRP Kit in terms of hair growth and patient satisfaction. Both preparations are safe, with only minor adverse effects, making ACD-A a viable alternative for PRP treatments of pattern hair loss.

Human ; Platelet-rich Plasma