Efficacy of combination therapy with microneedling and topical latanoprost 0.005% in treatment of acrofacial vitiligo: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Back ground Acrofacial vitiligo (AFV) represents a therapeutic challenge for dermatologists.Aim and objectives To investigated the efficacy of microneedling (MN) and topical latanoprost (LT) 0.005% in the treatment of AFV.Patients and methods A total of 72 patients with AFV were divided into two groups. Group A (n=36) received topical LT 0.005% twice daily, preceded by MN sessions at 2-week intervals, for a total duration of 12 weeks. Group B (n=36) received topical LT 0.005% alone for 12 weeks. Participants were evaluated by vitiligo area and severity index (VASI) at 2-week intervals for 12 weeks, and at 12 weeks after stopping the treatment.Results In group A, 12-week VASI [0.45 (0.18, 0.64)] was significantly lower than the baseline VASI [0.5 (0.21, 0.67); P=0.003]. In group B, the 12-week VASI was the same as the baseline VASI [0.43 (0.25, 1)]. Repigmentation was achieved in 18/36 (50%) of patients in group A and 0/36 (0.0%) in group B. Repigmentation was rated as excellent in 2/36 (5.56%), very good in 2/36 (5.56%), good in 4/36 (11.12%), and fair in 10/36 (27.76%) of the cases.Conclusion Combined therapy with MN and topical LT 0.005% resulted in variable degrees of repigmentation in 50% of patients with AFV.