Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy Between Topical Calcipotriol Used Along With Topical Clobetasol And Topical Clobetasol Monotherapy In Treatment Of Alopecia Areata: A Randomised Clinical Trial

Abstract

Introduction: Alopecia Areata (AA) is a hair disorder characterised by non-scarring, patchy loss of hair from scalp and other parts of the body. For the treatment of AA, topical steroid is one of the first line therapeutic options. Topical vitamin D analogue Calcipotriol has immunomodulatory action. Vitamin D receptors (VDR) are present in the hair follicles,therefore for treatment of AA topical vitamin D analogue Calcipotriol can be considered. Aim: To comparatively evaluate the role in terms of efficacy of topical vitamin D analogue Calcipotriol when used along with topical Clobetasol in comparison to topical Clobetasol used alone for AA treatment. Materials and Methods: In this randomised, open label, clinical study, sixty patients (age 20-32 years) diagnosed with AA were randomly assigned into two groups, thirty patients in each from Sept 2019 to Feb 2020. Topical Clobetasol (0.05%) was applied on the affected area twice a day for 24 weeks by Group A patients. While both topical Clobetasol (0.05%) and topical Calcipotriol (0.005%) was applied on the affected area twice daily for 24 weeks by Group B patients. Parametery like Age, Serum Hydroxy Vitamin D (25(OH)D) and SALT Score were mesured at baseline. At regular intervals of time (i.e baseline, 6,12,24 weeks), SALT (Severity Of Alopecia Tool) score was evaluated. Mean values of the data were evaluated using student's t-test and chi-square test based on whether the data was quantitative or qualitative in nature respectively. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: With respect to age and gender distribution both the groups were comparable (p>0.05). For patients of group A and group B the mean values of SALT score at baseline were 10.45±5.25 and 9.85±4.95, respectively (p=0.65). In patients of Group A and Group B towards the end of 24 weeks the mean values of SALT score decreased to 5.98±4.32 (p=0.0007) and 3.66±3.53 (p=0.0001), with a greater decrease in SALT score seen in Group B (p=0.05) i.e., the group in which patients were treated with topical calcipotriol 0.005% along with topical Clobetasol 0.05%. Conclusion: Topical calcipotriol 0.005% lotion used along with topical Clobetasol 0.05% lotion had higher efficacy than topical Clobetasol 0.05% lotion used alone, in the treatment of AA.