Evaluation of needling/microneedling as an adjunct to phototherapy in the treatment of stable acral vitiligo: a comparative clinical and immunohistochemical study
Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of needling/microneedling as an adjunct to NB-UVB phototherapy in the treatment of stable refractory patches of acral vitiligo, based upon clinical and immunohistochemical assessment of melanocyte count and distribution in response to needling/mic...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Dermatological Treatment |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2022.2062279 |
| Summary: | Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of needling/microneedling as an adjunct to NB-UVB phototherapy in the treatment of stable refractory patches of acral vitiligo, based upon clinical and immunohistochemical assessment of melanocyte count and distribution in response to needling/microneedling. Materials and methods Twenty patients with stable acral vitiligo (≥2 patches) were enrolled. One of the two index patches was randomized to receive needling or microneedling in conjunction with NB-UVB. Patients received phototherapy sessions 3 times weekly, while needling was carried out on biweekly basis for 6 months. Assessment was done clinically using point counting method, VESTA, and global patients’ satisfaction, and immunohistochemically by quantitative assessment of melanocyte count by Melan-A. Results No statistically significant difference was observed between NB-UVB monotherapy and either of the combined therapy regimens as regards the mean percentage change in vitiligo surface area (p = .451), mean change in absolute melanocyte count from baseline (p = .589), and mean VESTA (p = .916). Patches subjected to adjuvant microneedling/needling were afflicted by koebnerization in 50% and 20% of cases, respectively. Conclusion Neither microneedling nor needling appear to confer an added therapeutic value to NB-UVB phototherapy in the treatment of stable acral vitiligo. Moreover, both carry the risk of koebnerization. |
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| ISSN: | 0954-6634 1471-1753 |