Evaluation of the Additional Effect of Vitix® Gel on Vitiligo Lesions in Patients Treated with Narrow-Band Ultraviolet-B Phototherapy

Abstract

Vitiligo is a polygenic acquired skin disorder resulting from the destruction of melanocytes in epidermal cells. Conventional therapeutic options include covering agents, topical corticosteroids, topical immunomodulators, phototherapy with psolaren ultraviolet A (PUVA) and narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB). However, successful repigmentation with these modalities is expected only in half of the patients. This study aimed to compare the efficiency of topical Vitix® gel combined with NB-UVB versus NB-UVB alone in the treatment of vitiligo lesions. Thirty patients with vitiligo were enrolled in this study. All patients had relatively symmetrical lesions and received topical Vitix® gel in combination with NB-UVB on one side and NB-UVB alone on the other side. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests. Twenty-five patients completed the course of study (68% female, age: 32.3 ± 13.5 years). Five patients were excluded due to noncompliance to follow-up. The highest treatment response rate was observed in the upper limb’s lesions. However, no statistical difference was observed in patients treated with Vitix® gel combined with NB-UVB versus NB-UVB alone after adjusting for age, sex and lesions’ site (p > 0.05). Significant additional clinical repigmentation was not observed by adding Vitix® gel to NBUVB therapy in treatment of vitiligo lesions.