Photodynamic therapy of vitiligo: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is an acquired autoimmune skin disorder with depigmented macules and patches. There are several possible treatments for vitiligo, none of which could be considered as a definitive cure. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a novel treatment with controversial outcomes in vitiligo patients.

MATERIALS &

METHODS

A total of 10 patches (5 patches on the trunk, 3 on the extremities, and 2 on the neck) were selected and received microderm abrasion. Then the lesion was covered with 5- aminolevulinic acid (ALA) for one hour. Afterwards, it received red light with a dose of 120 J/cm2.This cycle was repeated monthly for 5 sessions. Another vitiligo patch was considered as a control and received topical mometasone twice a day during the study. The therapeutic results were compared by a blind dermatologist.

RESULTS

The median of repigmentation score, which was determined by a blind dermatologist, was 0.5 in the PDT group and 1 in the steroid group, which did not show any statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study demonstrated that PDT does not have any additional therapeutic effect in comparison with topical corticosteroids as the traditional treatment of vitiligo.