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Combined excimer laser, topical tacrolimus treatment may be effective therapy for segmental vitiligo

Combination therapy including a 308-nm excimer laser, topical tacrolimus and short-term systemic corticosteroids was effective for treating patients with segmental vitiligo, according to recently published study results.

Researchers in Korea retrospectively studied the medical records and photographs of 159 patients with segmental vitiligo (SV) who were treated with combination therapy of 308-nm excimer laser, topical tacrolimus and short-term systemic corticosteroids for more than 3 months. All patients had Fitzpatrick skin types III or IV.

Patients had a median age of onset of 24 years and median disease duration of 12 months. There was a 50.3% rate of 75% or more repigmentation following a median treatment duration of 12.1 months; 36.5% of patients had “nearly complete” (grade 4, 75% to 99%) and 13.8% of patients showed complete (grade 5, 100%) repigmentation. Disease duration longer than 12 months (OR = 0.372), poliosis (OR = 0.494) and plurisegmental subtype (OR = 0.175) were independent prognostic factors of poor response, according to multivariable analysis.

The researchers concluded early treatment should be introduced to patients with SV, and that the evaluation of poliosis and subtype could play an important role in predicting treatment outcome. – by Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.