Managing patients with vitiligo by narrowband–ultraviolet-B and systemic vitamin D: a pilot study

Background The role of vitamin D in autoimmune disorders in general and in vitiligo in specific has drawn the attention of many authors recently. Topical vitamin D is known to help in restoring pigmentation in vitiligo. The effect of vitamin D deficiency in vitiligo is still not fully understood. Aim To examine the effect of correcting vitamin D deficiency on the clinical improvement of vitiligo. Setting and design A randomized clinical trial where patients attending the Dermatology Clinic and diagnosed with vitiligo were invited to participate. Patients and methods In all, 26 patients with vitiligo and vitamin D deficiency were recruited, and by simple randomization, they were assigned into one of the 12-week therapeutic groups: a combined therapy of narrowband–ultraviolet-B (NB–UVB) and oral vitamin D, and a monotherapy of oral vitamin D or a monotherapy of NB–UVB. Serum level of vitamin D was measured at three occasions; before and after treatment, and at onset of repigmentation. Statistical analysis: SPSS was used for statistical analysis; A P value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results Patients on a combined therapy of NB–UVB and oral vitamin D required the shortest time for repigmentation (2.4 weeks) compared with monotherapy of vitamin D (4.8 weeks) or phototherapy (6.4 weeks) (P<0.05). However, the relationship between serum vitamin D level and onset of repigmentation was insignificant. Conclusions Replacement of vitamin D might positively influence the course of vitiligo management when combined with phototherapy. Further studies are required to confirm and identify the exact role vitamin D.