According to the article, vitiligo is a skin pigmentation disorder that affects one percent to two percent of people worldwide. Patients with vitiligo develop white patches on their skin, referred to as "lesions." Recently, the 308-nm (nanometer) excimer laser has been used to treat lesions associated with vitiligo with good results. Additionally, a new topical ointment called tacrolimus has shown promise in treating vitiligo.
Thierry Passeron, M.D., of Hopital de l'Archet, Nice, France, and colleagues investigated the effects of the 308-nm excimer laser in combination with tacrolimus on 14 patients with vitiligo aged 12 to 63 years.
For each patient, four to ten lesions were chosen and treated twice a week with the 308-nm excimer laser for a total of 24 sessions. Topical 0.1 percent tacrolimus ointment was applied twice daily to target lesions for patients in group A (excimer laser plus tacrolimus). Patients in group B received only the laser treatments. Treated lesions were compared with control lesions (that received no treatment) on the opposite side of the body. Forty-three lesions were treated (23 in group A and 20 in group B).
The researchers observed repigmentation in all group A lesions (100 percent) and in 17 (85 percent) of the 20 group B lesions. Repigmentation was not observed in the control lesions.
"A repigmentation rate of 75 percent or more was obtained in 16 (70 percent) of the 23 group A lesions and in 4 (20 percent) of the 20 group B lesions," the authors write. The average number of sessions needed to see an improvement in repigmentation was 10 for group A and 12 for group B.
"The combination of 0.1 percent tacrolimus ointment applied twice daily and 308-nm excimer laser therapy performed twice a week gives excellent results on UV-sensitive and UV-resistant areas. The treatment was well tolerated, and the patients were satisfied," the researchers conclude.
(Arch Dermatol. 2004;140:1065-1069. Available post-embargo at archdermatol.com )
To contact Thierry Passeron, M.D., e-mail t.passeron@free.fr
For more information, contact JAMA/Archives Media Relations at 312-464-JAMA (5262) or e-mail mediarelations@jama-archives.org .
Archives of Dermatology