Near-infrared light combined with tacrolimus ointment for the treatment of facial glucocorticoid-dependent dermatitis: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of near-infrared light combined with tacrolimus 0.1% ointment in the treatment of facial glucocorticoid-dependent dermatitis. Methods A total of 68 patients with facial glucocorticoid-dependent dermatitis were enrolled from Department of Dermatology of Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital between December 2014 and December 2015, and randomly and equally divided into treatment group and combination group by a random number table. The treatment group was treated topically with tacrolimus ointment twice a day for 4 weeks. Besides the treatment with tacrolimus ointment, the combination group was irradiated with near-infrared light once a week for 4 sessions. After 4-week treatment, improvement in clinical manifestations such as itching and burning sensation was evaluated, so was the therapeutic effect. Results The combination group showed significantly higher response rate (85.3%[29/34]) compared with the treatment group (61.8%[21/34], χ2= 4.84, P < 0.05) . Additionally, response rates for itching and burning sensation, erythema, scales and papules were all significantly higher in the combination group than in the treatment group (χ2= 4.84, 6.35, 8.42 and 5.52, respectively, all P < 0.05) . Conclusion Near-infrared light combined with tacrolimus ointment is effective and safe for the treatment of facial glucocorticoid-dependent dermatitis. Key words: Dermatitis; Face; Spectroscopy, near-infrared; Tacrolimus ointment; Dermatitis, hormone-dependent