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Evaluation of safety and efficacy of topical prostaglandin E 2 in treatment of vitiligo
Author(s) -
Kapoor R.,
Phiske M.M.,
Jerajani H.R.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08923.x
Subject(s) - medicine , vitiligo , scalp , dermatology , trunk , adverse effect , sex organ , surgery , ecology , genetics , biology
Summary Background Prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) has stimulant and immunomodulatory effects on melanocytes and regulates their proliferation. Objectives To study the efficacy and safety of topical PGE 2 in treating stable vitiligo patches involving < 5% body surface area. Methods Fifty‐six consecutive patients with clinically diagnosed stable vitiligo of types vulgaris, focal, segmental, lip and genital applied a translucent PGE 2 (0·25 mg g −1 ) gel twice daily for 6 months. Evaluation was fortnightly for 3 months and monthly thereafter up to 6 months. Assessment was based on degree of repigmentation in treated patches ranging from 0% (no change) to 100% (complete repigmentation). Overall response was graded as: poor, 1–25% repigmentation; moderate, 26–50%; good, 51–75%; excellent, > 75%. Results Vitiligo vulgaris was the most common type ( n = 22; 39%), followed by focal and lip vitiligo, with lesions being mostly on the face (25%) and lips. Repigmentation was seen in 40 of 56 patients (71%), with mean onset at 2 months. Patients with disease duration of 6 months or less repigmented best, with face and scalp responding earliest (1–1·5 months). Complete clearance occurred in eight of 40 patients, six of the eight having face lesions. Excellent response was seen in 22 of 40 patients. All neck, scalp and trunk lesions, 33% genital, 29% lip vitiligo, 100% segmental and 63% focal patches showed moderate to excellent response. Incidence of side‐effects was 18%, mainly a transient burning sensation especially on the lips. Conclusions The efficacy and safety of topical PGE 2 make it a promising therapy for localized stable vitiligo.