Intralesional vitamin D3 versus intralesional triamcinolone acetonoid in patchy alopecia areata: a comparative clinical and dermoscopic study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune T-cell mediated non-scarring, form of hair loss. It affects people of all ages and sexes. Aim To compare the efficacy of intralesional vitamin D3 injection versus that of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of patchy alopecia areata. Patients and methods This clinical study was carried on 40 adult patients with patchy alopecia areata, the patients were categorized into two groups. Group I involved 20 patients who received 1 ml of intralesional injection of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol aqueous preparation 200 000 IU/2 ml) every 4 weeks for a maximum of three sessions. Group II involved 20 patients who received 1 ml of intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg/mL every 4 weeks for a maximum of three sessions. Clinical and trichoscopic evaluations were done at the baseline, each session and for 3 months after the last session. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the two studied groups regarding the degree of clinical improvement (p = .8). A statistically significant reduction in AA specific trichoscopic signs was detected at the end of the sessions and after 3 months of follow-up in both groups, without any statistically significant difference between them. Also a statistically significant difference was found between both groups regarding the reported adverse effects with a significant better patient satisfaction encountered toward the intralesional vitamin D3 injection. Conclusion Intralesional vitamin D3 is a promising effective, simple, safe, and inexpensive, therapeutic modality for patchy AA.