Efficacy of tacrolimus plus narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy versus narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy alone in the treatment of vitiligo

Abstract

Objective To compare the efficacy of tacrolimus plus narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy versus  NB-UVB phototherapy alone in the treatment of vitiligo . Methods A total of 94 patients were randomized into two equal groups A and B. Patients in group A were managed with combined treatment i.e. NB-UVB three times a week plus topical tacrolimus 0.1% once daily application while patients in group B will be subjected to NB-UVB alone three times a week alone for three months. The efficacy was determined in term of repigmentation by measuring vitiligo area severity score. Results 41 (87.2%) patients in group A achieved efficacy while group B showed efficacy in 32 (68.1%) patients (p=0.022). Efficacy was unrelated to age, sex, severity and duration of vitiligo. Conclusion Combination therapy is more effective than monotherapy in the treatment of vitiligo.