Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder that affects 1% of population. It presents as depigmented patches. One of the most probable theories regarding the pathogenesis of vitiligo is autoimmunity. Systemic corticosteroids may arrest the progression of vitiligo and lead to repigmentation by suppressing immune system. The objective of this study is to assess the clinical efficacy of low-dose oral corticosteroids in actively progressing vitiligo.

Materials and Methods: Seventy four patients with vitiligo were evaluated. The patients took daily doses of oral prednisolone (0.3 mg/kg) initially for 2 months. Then the dosage was halved monthly, for the five subsequent months of treatment. The effects of treatment were evaluated using photography&aposs before and after the study. Side effects were assessed at the first, second, third and fourth month of the treatment.

Results: Arrested progression of vitiligo and repigmentation were noted in 74.3% and 62.1% of patients respectively. The mean pigmentation was 26.8%. The localized form, lower age of disease onset, no hair whiteness on the lesions and less affliction percent showed increased repigmentation with statistical significance. There was no significant difference between sexes and positive family history of vitiligo in patients. The best therapeutic results were obtained for facial lesions and the worst for mucosal lesions. The side effects of treatment were minimal and did not affect the course of the treatment.

Conclusion: Low-dose oral corticosteroids are effective and have few serious side effects in preventing the progression of actively progressing vitiligo but regimentation is not significant and this regimen is effective in patients who are refractory to topical corticosteroids or phototherapy.