An open label study to compare the efficacy of topical mometasone furoate with topical placental extract versus topical mometasone furoate with topical tacrolimus in patients with vitiligo involving less than 10% body surface area.

Vitiligo is a common skin disorder affecting about 1 to 2% of the world population. The prevalence in Nepal is 2-3%. This disease is associated with profound psychological distress. Though many treatment options are available none of these are universally effective. The main objective of the study is to compare the efficacy and rate of repigmentation with use of topical steroid and topical placental extract versus topical steroid and topical tacrolimus 0.1% in treating patients with localized vitiligo. One hundred patients visiting the dermatology outpatient department of Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital with the diagnosis of vitiligo involving less than 10% of body surface area were taken. 50 of these patients (Category A) were randomly selected and treated with topical steroid (Mometasone furoate 0.1% cream) and Topical placental extract gel. Other 50 patients (Category B) were given the same topical steroid with Topical Tacrolimus 0.1% cream. The patients were examined every month and final outcome was seen at the end of 3 months. Of the total 100 patients 51% were male and 49% were female. Seventeen percent of patients had lesions over face and neck, 49% had lesions over the extremities and 34% had lesions over trunk. At the end of 3 months the rate of repigmentation was better in patients of Category B than Category A and the result was statistically significant. Topical Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment could be better option for the treatment of localized vitiligo when compared to topical placental extract but in combination with a steroid cream.