Surg Cosmet Dermatol. 2019;11(2):132-137
INTRODUCTION: Vitiligo is a chronic acquired skin disease, which evolves with depigmentation. The control of disease activity is a therapeutic challenge. Systemic corticosteroids, in daily use or in pulse doses, are the most used treatment for the disease.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of minocycline on the control over vitiligo activity compared with the corticosteroid therapy.
METHODS: Randomized clinical trial with 16 active vitiligo vulgaris patients, divided into two groups: MINO group: minocycline 100mg/day, orally, for three months; and CORT group: prednisolone 0.3mg/kg/day, orally, for two months, and 0.15 mg/kg/day in the third month. The patients were evaluated before and after the treatment by photographic records and evaluation of the scores obtained by the VIDA score (vitiligo disease activity score).
RESULTS: According to the photographic records, there was control of vitiligo activity in 100% of patients in the MINO group compared with 60% in the CORT group. In the comparison using the VIDA score, we noticed a statistically significant diference for both groups; however, we found that the reduction was greater in the MINO group, evidencing more effectiveness of minocycline in controlling the vitiligo activity.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the efficacy of minocycline in the control of active vitiligo compared with a systemic corticosteroid regimen. Additional studies should be performed to confirm its efficacy.
Keywords: Vitiligo; Minocycline; Prednisolone