The effect of combined calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate ointment in the treatment of vitiligo: an open, uncontrolled trial

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is a frequent dyschromia characterized by achromic macules that reflect the absence of melanocytes. It affects 1% of the general population. Treatment of vitiligo is a challenge. Recently, topical calcipotriol has been claimed to be effective, either as monotherapy or as part of combination therapies.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of calcipotriol 0.005%/betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% ointment in the treatment of vitiligo.

Methods: Thirty-one patients with vitiligo were enrolled in our study. The mean age of the patients was 32.6 + 11 years (range 18-56 years) and the mean duration of vitiligo was 3.7 + 5.8 years (range 0.07-30 years). Patients were treated with topical calcipotriol 0.005%/betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% ointment twice a day for at least 12 weeks, and the degree of repigmentation was analyzed using digital photography at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, and 12. The response was evaluated as excellent (76%-100%), moderate (51%-75%), mild (26%-50%), minimal (1%-25%), or no response. Possible adverse effects during the treatment period were also noted.

Results: Three patients (9.7%) had an excellent response, six patients (19.4%) had a moderate response, eight patients (25.8%) had a mild response, seven patients (22.6%) had a minimal response, and seven patients (22.6%) had no response. Patients at a progressive phase responded better to this ointment than patients at a stable phase (P=.005). The correlations between response rate and the duration of the disease were not significant (P=.791). Four adverse events related to the ointment were reported (pruritus, n=2; acne, n=2).

Conclusion: Calcipotriene 0.005%/betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% ointment is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of patients with vitiligo.