OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the efficacy and safety of sub erythema dose (SED) of excimer laser (EL) treatment compared to the erythema dose (ED) in treating stable vitiligo
DESIGN:
A randomized, controlled, split body study.
SETTING:
The trial was performed in two tertiary health care centers in Korea.
PARTICIPANTS:
Thirty six right or left sides of 18 patients with stable symmetric vitiligo on the face and neck were enrolled.
INTERVENSIONS:
The two sides of the face or neck were randomly assigned to either SED or ED group of EL treatment. Both laser treatments were conducted twice weekly for 3 months. Initial irradiation dose was 50 mJ/cm2 and 100 mJ/cm2 on the face, and 100 mJ/cm2 and 200 mJ/cm2 on the neck for SED and ED group, respectively. If there had not been pinkish erythema lasting less than 24 hours after tr eatment in the ED group, the dose was escalated by 25 and 50 mJ/cm2 in subsequent treatment session for SED and ED group, respectively. The ED was defined as the dose to produce pinkish erythema lasting less than 24 hours, and the SED as the half of the ED .
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
: The degree of repigmentation (%) from baseline in each side was assessed using Vitiligo Extent Score for a Target Area by blinded evaluators.
RESULTS:
The SED side showed 86.1% ± 23.9% of repigmentation and was similar to 86. 9% ± 23.0% in the ED side. Four patients (22.2%) complained of prolonged erythema lasting 3 days or pain on the ED side at least once during the 3 month period, but not on the SED side.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
The SED EL treatment would be sufficient for achieving repigmentation of stable vitiligo, and could be an effective and safe dosimetry.
