A survey of vitiligo management among dermatologists in Saudi Arabia

Efeitos da aplicação do L.A.S.E.R. HeNe e do ultravioleta B no vitiligo

INTRODUÇÃO: O vitiligo é uma doença crônica despigmentante da pele, ocasionada pela perda funcional dos melanócitos da epiderme. Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar os efeitos da aplicação do L.A.S.E.R. HeNe e do ultravioleta B em pacientes com vitiligo. MÉTODO: Foram selecionados 22 pacientes (11 mulheres e 11 homens), com idade entre 12 e 60 anos (31,68 ± 16,29). Os pacientes foram distribuídos aleatoriamente, de acordo com a ordem de comparecimento no serviço e foram divididos randomicamente em dois grupos: o grupo A (n = 12), submetido à aplicação do L.A.S.E.R. HeNe, para o qual a técnica utilizada foi a pontual com aproximadamente 3 cm de distância entre cada ponto, perpendicularmente à pele, e o grupo B (n = 10), exposto ao Ultravioleta B, aplicado de forma perpendicular com 10 cm de afastamento da pele do paciente. Para mensuração da área tratada, utilizou-se o programa AUTOCAD 2002, no qual foi delimitada a borda da mácula em fotos tiradas no início e no fim do tratamento. RESULTADOS: Inicialmente, no grupo A, a área era de 4,87 cm² ± 3,70 e, após a aplicação, foi de 4,15 cm² ± 2,89, com diferença média de 0,72 cm² (1,89). No grupo B, verificou-se que antes da aplicação a média era de 5,36 cm² ± 6,36 e, a após a aplicação, foi de 4,43 cm² ± 5,17, com diferença média de 0,92 cm² ± 1,29. CONCLUSÃO: Ambos os aparelhos obtiveram resultados significativos na redução da mácula, com maior redução no grupo da ultravioleta.

Assessment methods for the evaluation of vitiligo

There is no standardized method for assessing vitiligo. In this article, we review the literature from 1981 to 2011 on different vitiligo assessment methods. We aim to classify the techniques available for vitiligo assessment as subjective, semi-objective or objective; microscopic or macroscopic; and as based on morphometry or colorimetry. Macroscopic morphological measurements include visual assessment, photography in natural or ultraviolet light, photography with computerized image analysis and tristimulus colorimetry or spectrophotometry. Non-invasive micromorphological methods include confocal laser microscopy (CLM). Subjective methods include clinical evaluation by a dermatologist and a vitiligo disease activity score. Semi-objective methods include the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) and point-counting methods. Objective methods include software-based image analysis, tristimulus colorimetry, spectrophotometry and CLM. Morphometry is the measurement of the vitiliginous surface area, whereas colorimetry quantitatively analyses skin colour changes caused by erythema or pigment. Most methods involve morphometry, except for the chromameter method, which assesses colorimetry. Some image analysis software programs can assess both morphometry and colorimetry. The details of these programs (Corel Draw, Image Pro Plus, AutoCad and Photoshop) are discussed in the review. Reflectance confocal microscopy provides real-time images and has great potential for the non-invasive assessment of pigmentary lesions. In conclusion, there is no single best method for assessing vitiligo. This review revealed that VASI, the rule of nine and Wood's lamp are likely to be the best techniques available for assessing the degree of pigmentary lesions and measuring the extent and progression of vitiligo in the clinic and in clinical trials.

Worsening of Vitiligo and Onset of New Psoriasiform Dermatitis following Treatment with Infliximab

Background:

Vitiligo is a depigmentation disorder caused by melanocyte destruction that possibly results from an autoimmune mechanism. Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, chronic, inflammatory dermatosis. Although tumor necrosis factor α antagonists (anti-TNF-α), such as infliximab, are effective in treating psoriasis, many cases reported in the literature indicate that psoriasis might also be induced by treatment with infliximab. Some studies also suggest that TNF-α antagonists might be an effective treatment for vitiligo because the disorder is characterized by increased levels of TNF-α, indicating that it might play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Objective:

We report a case of psoriasiform dermatitis with vacuolar interface reaction that occurred after infliximab therapy in a patient with vitiligo.

Method:

A 17-year-old male patient with vitiligo vulgaris was treated with an intravenous infusion of 5 mg/kg of infliximab at 0, 2, and 6 weeks and then once every 6 weeks over a span of 6 months. The patient was monitored both clinically and with laboratory investigations. He had no personal or family history of psoriasis. He tolerated the treatment well, without side effects. However, he developed a biopsy-proven psoriasiform lesion for the first time 4 months after he completed his sixth dose of infliximab. His vitiligo also worsened.

Conclusion:

This case report shows that infliximab given for vitiligo did not improve the disorder and that the vitiligo actually progressed. Moreover, psoriasiform lesions developed after this therapy. Further studies are needed to identify the effects of infliximab in patients with vitiligo.