Vitamin D supplementation can enhance therapeutic effects of excimer laser in patients with vitiligo.

J Cosmet Dermatol

Department of Dermatology, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Published: March 2024

AI Article Synopsis

  • Vitiligo is a skin condition characterized by loss of pigmentation due to melanocyte destruction, and previous studies suggested a link between low vitamin D levels and the disease.
  • This study tested the effectiveness of combining cholecalciferol (a form of vitamin D) injections with excimer laser treatment versus using the laser alone in patients with vitiligo and low vitamin D levels.
  • Results showed that patients receiving both treatments had a much greater improvement in their vitiligo area scores compared to those who only received the laser treatment, indicating that adding vitamin D could enhance treatment outcomes.

Article Abstract

Purpose: Vitiligo is a disease of acquired depigmentation characterized by the destruction of melanocytes. A theoretical association between low level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and vitiligo has been previously suggested. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of intramuscular injection of cholecalciferol with excimer laser compared with the excimer laser alone for vitiligo treatment.

Methods: This study included 26 patients diagnosed with non-segmental vitiligo and low serum 25(OH)D levels (<20 ng/mL). The participants were randomly divided into two groups through randomization. The treatment using a 308-nm excimer laser was administered to both groups, and the study group additionally received cholecalciferol injection.

Results: The Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) scores showed an 83.6% improvement over the initial score in the study group, whereas the control group showed a 54.7% improvement after 6 months of treatment. After 6 months of treatment, the study group showed a significantly higher proportion of patients who achieved VASI50 and VASI75 compared with the control group.

Conclusion: Intramuscular injection of cholecalciferol can be a supplemental option for the treatment of vitiligo patients with vitamin D deficiency with excimer laser therapy.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16043DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

excimer laser
12
vitiligo
5
vitamin supplementation
4
supplementation enhance
4
enhance therapeutic
4
therapeutic effects
4
effects excimer
4
laser patients
4
patients vitiligo
4
vitiligo purpose
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!