Triple-combination treatment with oral α-lipoic acid, betamethasone injection, and NB-UVB for non-segmental progressive vitiligo.

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disease with uncertain etiopathogenesis and the treatment modalities need to be consistently updated.

AIM: To evaluate a triple-combination treatment with oral α-lipoic acid (ALA), betamethasone injection, and narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) on vitiligo.

METHODS

Patients with non-segmental and progressive vitiligo lesions were randomly assigned to two groups. The treatment group and the control group were respectively treated with oral ALA and placebo, in combination with betamethasone injection and NB-UVB. The effectiveness and adverse events were evaluated by investigators and patients before and after treatment.

RESULTS

Fifty non-segmental progressive vitiligo patients were enrolled in the study. The treatment period was 6 months. In treatment group, over 40% patients achieved > 50% improvement and ≥ 5 satisfaction score by 3-month therapy (M3). This percentage increased to 90% at M6. Treatment group achieved better efficacy than control group at M3, while no difference was seen at M6.

CONCLUSION

The combined treatment with oral ALA, betamethasone injection, and NB-UVB was effective and safe on non-segmental progressive vitiligo. ALA could accelerate the initial response of repigmentation.