The effect of platelet-rich plasma on the outcome of short-term narrowband-ultraviolet B phototherapy in the treatment of vitiligo: a pilot study

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2016 Jun;15(2):108-16. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12194. Epub 2015 Dec 23.

Abstract

Background: Narrowband - ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) is an emerging, effective, and safe therapy for vitiligo, but the treatment course often requires a long duration of time which may carry a potential risk for various side effects and patients' noncompliance.

Objective: To explore the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection on the outcome of short-term NB-UVB therapy for the patients with stable vitiligo.

Patients and methods: The study included 60 stable vitiligo patients with overall symmetrical lesions. For each patient, the left side of the body was treated with NB-UVB alone (control side) while the right side was treated with NB-UVB therapy in addition to intradermal injection of PRP, every 2 weeks for 4 months.

Results: There was statistically highly significant improvement in the repigmentation in the combination group(PRP plus NB-UVB) compared with NB-UVB group.

Conclusion: Intradermal PRP injection in combination with NB-UVB could be considered as a simple, safe, tolerable, and cheap technique for treatment of vitiligo. It shortens the duration of NB-UVB therapy and is expected to increase patient compliance. Longer follow-up is needed.

Keywords: narrow-band UVB; platelet-rich plasma; vitiligo.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Egypt
  • Esthetics
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Injections, Intradermal
  • Male
  • Pilot Projects
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultraviolet Therapy / methods*
  • Vitiligo / drug therapy*
  • Vitiligo / pathology
  • Vitiligo / radiotherapy*
  • Young Adult