Left-Right Comparison Study of the Combination of Fluticasone Propionate and UV-A vs Either Fluticasone Propionate or UV-A Alone for the Long-term Treatment of Vitiligo

Abstract

VITILIGO IS an acquired pigmentary skin disorder, often with a progressive course. Much about the cause of vitiligo remains uncertain. It is possible that autoimmune mechanisms are involved in its pathogenesis, as an increased incidence of autoantibodies has been found in patients with vitiligo.^1,2 Furthermore, vitiligo is often associated with autoimmune diseases such as thyroid diseases and diabetes mellitus. Another indication that vitiligo may be an autoimmune disease is the fact that antibodies to melanocyte-associated antigens have been found in patients with vitiligo and correlate with disease activity.^3,4 Involvement of cellular immunity has been considered because T lymphocytes and macrophages in perilesional skin have been reported frequently.^5,6