Efficacy of topical 5-fluorouracil with microneedling versus topical latanoprost with microneedling in treatment of patients with localized stable vitiligo: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Although several studies were conducted on treatment of localized vitiligo with multiple adjuvants, there is no ideal therapy with optimum results.Objectives: The purpose of this research is to compare the effectiveness of topical 5-fluorouracil and topical latanoprost in stimulating skin regimentation in patients with localized stable vitiligo following skin microneedling.Patients and methods: This prospective randomized clinical trial conducted on forty patients with localized stable vitiligo was divided randomly into two groups: Group (A): 20 patients were received latanoprost after microneedling Group (B): 20 patients were received 5-Flourouracil 5% solution after microneedling. All patients were clinically and photographically evaluated using Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI).Results: There was no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the degree of repigmentation in response to treatment (p value = 0.317). Excellent improvement (> 75% repigmentation) was achieved in 45% of patients in both groups. Also, there was significant reduction in the VASI score for both groups when comparing post-treatment with the baseline. As regard the complications, there was minimal complications only one case with post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.Conclusion: Microneedling combined with 5-Fluorouracil or latanoprost are both safe and effective treatments of localized stable vitiligo with no significant difference.