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The effect of 308 nm excimer laser on segmental vitiligo: a retrospective study of 80 patients with segmental vitiligo
Author(s) -
Do Jeong Eun,
Shin Jae Yong,
Kim DoYoung,
Hann SeungKyung,
Oh Sang Ho
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
photodermatology, photoimmunology and photomedicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.736
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1600-0781
pISSN - 0905-4383
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0781.2011.00587.x
Subject(s) - medicine , vitiligo , excimer , excimer laser , retrospective cohort study , ultraviolet a , dermatology , surgery , laser , optics , physics
Background: Segmental vitiligo (SV), which frequently accompanies poliosis, indicating a poor prognosis that is likely resistant to treatments. Objectives: In this study, we performed a retrospective analysis to evaluate the treatment response to 308 nm excimer laser in SV patients. Methods: A retrospective chart and photographic review was performed on 80 SV patients who had been treated with 308 nm excimer laser for >3 months. Results: Eighty patients with SV (mean age: 24.0 years ± 15.3, males: 50%) were included in this study. The mean grade of repigmentation was 2.3 after 20.6 months of mean treatment duration; 23.8% of 80 patients showed grade 4, 20% showed grade 3, and 56.2% showed grade 1–2 repigmentation. However, none of them achieved complete repigmentation with excimer laser. The degree of repigmentation was positively correlated with treatment duration ( r =0.315, P =0.004) and cumulative ultraviolet (UV) dosage ( r =0.366, P =0.001), whereas it was negatively correlated with disease duration ( r =−0.265, P =0.017). Conclusion: This study suggests that SV has a better repigmentation response when excimer laser is used at earlier stages of the disease and long‐term use and high cumulative UV energy of the excimer laser elicit better responses. Additional treatments like surgical procedures in addition to excimer laser should be considered for complete repigmentation.