Topical calcipotriol vs narrowband ultraviolet B in treatment of alopecia areata: a randomized-controlled trial

Abstract

Alopecia areata is a chronic relapsing autoimmune inflammatory hair disorder with no novel therapy. The objectives of this study are to compare the efficacy of topical calcipotriol vs narrow band ultraviolet B phototherapy (NB-UVB) in the treatment of alopecia areata and its correlation with serum vitamin D3 levels. A randomized-controlled trial has been conducted on 60 patients with scalp alopecia areata randomized into four groups; topical calcipotriol, NB-UVB, both and placebo. All patients were evaluated by assessment of severity of alopecia areata by severity of alopecia tool (SALT) score at baseline and 3months after treatment and vitamin D3 levels at baseline and after 3months. SALT score and vitamin D3 levels were significantly improved in all groups except placebo after treatment with (P = 0.026, P = 0.005, P = 0.004, P = 0.140) and (P = 0.028, P = 0.011, P = 0.003, P = 0.725), respectively. Combined therapy showed non-significant improvement in SALT score (P = 0.530, P = 0.643), respectively, and significant improvement in serum vitamin D3 levels than each line alone with (P = 0.021, P = 0.044), respectively. Both topical calcipotriol and NB-UVB are effective therapies in the treatment of AA and associated with improvement of SALT score and vitamin D3 levels.