AbstractBackground and Objectives: The lack of melanocyte function causes depigmented macules and patches to appear in vitiligo, a skin condition that can be acquired over time. Localized vitiligo is typically treated with topical medications, such as calcineurin inhibitors and corticosteroids. But there is a lack of comparable evidence on how well they work and how safe they are. This study is designed to assess the efficacy and safety of two topical treatments for localized vitiligo: tacrolimus ointment (0.1%) and clobetasol propionate cream (0.05%).
Materials and Methods: 70 patients with localized vitiligo were taken part in a comparative study that was randomized and prospective. This study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology, Narayana Medical College, Chintareddypalem, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India from July 2018 to June 2019. One group received tacrolimus (0.1%) ointment and the other group received clobetasol propionate (0.05%) cream. For twelve weeks, the therapies were administered twice day. Patients' reports of improved repigmentation and the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) were used to evaluate the treatment's efficacy. Throughout the trial, participants reported adverse symptoms such as skin irritation, atrophy, and a burning feeling.
Results: While both groups showed considerable repigmentation after 12 weeks, the clobetasol propionate group had a lower VASI score at the end of the trial than the tacrolimus group. Skin thinning and atrophy were less common side effects of tacrolimus, and it was also better tolerated. In the tacrolimus group, some people reported mild, transient burning and itching, but these side effects went away on their own. Neither group reported any major side effects.
Conclusion: In a study on localized vitiligo, clobetasol propionate (0.05%) cream was found to be more effective in repigmentation than tacrolimus (0.1%) ointment. On the other hand, tacrolimus had a lower incidence of adverse events and a superior safety profile. Both therapies are viable choices; which one a patient chooses should be based on their individual risk factors and how well they tolerate corticosteroids.
