Topical tacrolimus significantly promotes repigmentation in idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Author(s): Rerknimitr P(1), Disphanurat W, Achariyakul M.

Affiliation(s): Author information: (1)Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand. pawineererk@yahoo.co.th

Publication date & source: 2013, J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. , 27(4):460-4

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) is an idiopathic disorder affecting a large number of people. Effective treatments are not yet available. Objectives To investigate the efficacy of topical 0.1% tacrolimus ointment compared with placebo in the treatment of IGH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients were included in the study. Lesions on one side of the body were selected to have a treatment with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment, whereas those on the other side served as a control with placebo ointment that had the same physical appearance. Colorimeter was used to assess skin colour at baseline and at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 months of treatment. RESULTS: Mean luminosity scale after adjusted for baseline from the treated side gradually decreased and reached statistical significance compared with the control group after 6 months of treatment (P = 0.019). Physicians' improvement grading score showed that 11% of the patients demonstrated improvement of their skin lesions on the treated side after 6 months' treatment. CONCLUSION: Topical 0.1% tacrolimus ointment appeared to be an effective and safe treatment for IGH. The improvements were best observed by colorimetry, yet, they were not statistically significant upon clinical assessments.