Journal of

Background and Aim: Hair loss is a common issue among men and women. Studies have shown that 1-25 (OH) vit D affects differentiation in normal follicles and hair growth, through effect on the translation of genes. The aim of this study was to assess vitamin D₃ level in patients suffering from hair loss between the age of 18 to 50 years.

Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 100 patients including 27 men and 73 women suffering from hair loss. Cases were chosen from one of the educational hospitals of Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Branch. Blood samples were obtained from the patients and were sent to the laboratory for assessment of vitamin D₃ serumic levels.

Results: The average of patients’ age was 29.5±8.5 years. The average serum level of vitamin D in patients was 17.26±14.5 ng/mL. Sixty-six percent of patients suffering from hair loss had vitamin D deficiency as well. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in women was considerably more than men (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among people suffeing from hair loss is noteworthy.

Background and Aim: Vitiligo is a common pigmentary disorder that melanocytes are destroyed. Treatment of vitiligo depends on the extent of the disease and its distribution pattern. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of PUVA and NBUVB in patients with vitiligo.

Methods: A clinical trial has been performed on 60 patients with vitiligo referred to Bouali hospital and Mehrgan laser center in 1392 and treated with UVB and PUVA therapy methods. In first group treated with PUVA, oral tablets containing 8-methoxypsoralen were taken 3 hours before phototherapy twice a week. The second group was treated with NBUVB twice a week.

Results: In patients treated with PUVA, 40% and in patients treated with NBUVB, 43.3% were male. Seventeen (56.7%) of patients treated with PUVA had generalized vitiligo, 30% of them had segmental Vitiligo and 13.3% had focal Vitiligo.  Seventeen (56.7%) patients that were treated with NBUVB generalized vitiligo, 30% had segmental and 10% had focal vitiligo. Repigmentation was significantly higher in patients treated with NBUVB than PUVA 3 and 6 months after initiation of treatment (P<0.05).

Conclusion: NBUVB is superior to PUVA in treatment complications and its recovery rate was acceptable.