EFFICACY OF TOPICAL MINOXIDIL 5% AND BETAMETHASONE VALERATE 0.1% VERSUS BETAMETHASONE VALERATE 0.1% MONOTHERAPY IN NON-SEGMENTAL VITILIGO

Abstract

Background 
 Vitiligo is a common depigmentation disorder of the skin. Circumscribed amelanotic patches characterize it due to the destruction of melanocytes. It affects 0.5-2.0% of general population. Many combinations of medical therapies have been studied, but the optimal treatment has yet to be identified.
 Objectives 
 To evaluate the efficacy of topical minoxidil 5% plus betamethasone valerate 0.1% compared to betamethasone valerate 0.1% monotherapy in the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo
 Materials and Methods
 This open-label, comparative, therapeutic clinical trial was conducted at the Sulaimani dermatology teaching center from May 2021 to February 2022. In this trial, 30 patients with non-segmental vitiligo were divided into two groups, 15 patients each; group A treated with topical minoxidil 5% spray & betamethasone valerate 0.1% cream, and group B was treated with betamethasone valerate 0.1% cream alone, the two regimens were used twice a day and patients were followed up for three months.
 Results
 The mean percentage of depigmentation in groups A and B were (21.9%) & (16%), respectively. 
 Conclusion
 Topical minoxidil & betamethasone valerate combination achieved a higher grade of depigmentation, especially in the vitiligo of the hair-bearing areas of the head & neck. However, there was no significant difference compared to betamethasone valerate alone (P value = 0.8).