BACKGROUND: Narrow-band UVB and topical corticosteroids are treatments for vitiligo. The possible synergistic effect of these modalities has not yet been investigated.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the efficacy of combining narrow-band UVB (NB-UVB) and 0.05% clobetasol propionate ointment (CP) with that of NB-UVB and placebo in inducing initial and overall repigmentation and control of disease activity after 6 months of therapy. Moreover, it aims to assess the safety and determine the permanence ofrepigmentation within I year post-treatment in both regimens.
METHODS: Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, left-right comparison was conducted on generalized vitiligo patients with 5-50% body surface area involvement, having at least 2 bilateral, comparative lesions. CP or placebo was applied once daily on either side of the body, each combined with NB-UVB thrice weekly for 6 months.
OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) number of exposures and cumulative dose (CD) of NB-UVB that induced initial repigmentation; (2) quantity of repigmentation after 6 months estimated by comparing pre- and post-treatment photographs; (3) effect on disease activity by comparing pre- and post-treatment VIDA (vitiligo disease activity) scores; and (4) permanence of repigmentation and development of new lesions within 1 year post-treatment documented by photographs.
ANALYSIS: Sample size was calculated using formula for testing two proportions at 0.05 level of significance and a power of 0.80. Data was analyzed with Student t test (paired), Exact test for symmetry and Wilcoxon signed rank test, depending on the data set involved.
RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were recruited, but only 20 were evaluable at the end of the study. Initial repigmentation was noted after a mean of 9.30 +/- 3.54 exposures (mean CD 1,887.8 +/- 1195.81 mJ/cm2) of NB-UVB on the CP-treated side, and after a mean of 15.85 +/- 5.61 exposures (mean CD 4,152.2 +/- 2231.9 mJ/cm2) on the placebo side. After 6 months, 55% (11/20) and 40%(8/20) of patients exhibited marked (>75 %) repigmentation in the NB-UVB with CP side, and NB-UVB with placebo side, respectively. Adverse events were minimal and transient. VIDA scores improved and repigmentation induced by both treatment regimens remained stable in majority within one year post-treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: Combination NB-UVB and CP induced repigmentation earlier, requiring significantly lower cumulative dose of NB-UVB than NB-UVB plus placebo. Over all quantity and permanence of repigmentation, as well as control of disease activity and safety, were comparable in the two regimens.

 

 

Human ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Child ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Clinical Protocols ; Clobetasol ; Dermatologic Agents ; Outcome Assessment (health Care) ; Ultraviolet Therapy ; Vitiligo

Mismatch specific endonuclease (MSE) method was used to detect natural polymorphisms in Pvs25 and Pv38 genes of Plasmodium vivax. Eighty seven patients with P. vivax were recruited in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Pvs25 and Pv38 genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the PCR amplicons were mixed with reference DNA sequences. Following the denaturation and gradual annealing, the product mixtures were cleaved by the MSE. Heteroduplex types were readily detected by gel electrophoresis, where extra bands with shorter sizes would appear from the cleavage. After MSE cleavage of 657- bp product from Pvs25 mixtures, three genotypes were detected, while Pv38 mixtures with 1220-bp products presented two genotypes in ROK isolates. After the MSE cleavage, the mismatched samples of Pvs25 and Pv38 were completely sequenced, and the results were in complete agreement with the MSE analyses. In conclusion, genotyping of Pvs25 and Pv38 with MSE cleavage could be a potential method for the high-throughput screening of the large field samples.