Marrium Manzoor, Kehkashan Tahir, Uzma Amin, Sarah Bashir, Omer Altaf, Nadia Naeem.
Efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser versus 0.1% tacrolimus cream in the treatment of segmental vitiligo.
J Pak Assoc Derma Jan ;33(3):943-8.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser versus 0.1% tacrolimus cream in the treatment of segmental vitiligo.   Methods: The randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Dermatology department, Lahore General Hospital Lahore for duration of 6 months (June 2018 to December 2018). Total 120 patients were recruited and divided randomly in 2 equal groups. In group A; fractional CO2 laser was applied once a month. In group B; 0.1% tacrolimus cream was applied twice a day. After 2 months, efficacy was measured i.e. >50% reduction in VASI score. SPSS v. 25 was used to analyze the collected information.   Results: The mean age of patients in CO2 laser group was 41.68 ± 14.26 years, there were 17 (28.3%) males and 43 (71.7%) females. In tacrolimus cream group, the mean age of patients was 38.57±12.72 years, there were 18 (26.7%) males and 44 (73.3%) females. The mean percentage reduction in VASI score was 53.98±18.06 with CO2 laser and 39.18±15.01 with tacrolimus. The difference was significant (p<0.05). Efficacy was achieved in 34 (56.7%) cases with CO2 laser and in 19 (31.7%) with tacrolimus. The difference was significant (p<0.05).   Conclusion: In conclusion, CO2 fractional laser was found significantly effective in re-pigmentation of vitiligo as compared to tacrolimus.  

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