comparative study of the therapeutic effects of topical mometasone furoate 0.1% plus tretinoin 0.05% and topical mometasone furoate 0.1% plus eucerin in the treatment of vitiligo

Background: long-term treatments with topical corticosteroids, for diseases like vitiligo, are associated with the risk of skin atrophy.objectives: recent studies suggest that administration of topical tretinoin, with a corticosteroid, diminishes skin atrophy without impacting the steroid’s anti-inflammatory effects.patients and methods: a placebo-controlled, paired-comparison, left-right study was conducted for a period of 6 months on topical tretinoin 0.05% and mometasone furoate 0.1 % with topical mometasone furoate 0.1% and eucerin in 16 patients, diagnosed with generalized vitiligo. clinical responses and side effects were assessed after 3 and 6 months.results: after 6 months treatment with topical mometasone furoate 0.1 % and tretinoin 0.05%, an excellent response was found in two (12.50%) patients, a moderate response in 13 (81.25%) and mild response in one (6.25%) patient. two patients (12.5%) showed side effects. after 6 months treatment with topical mometasone furoate 0.1% and eucerin, an excellent response was observed in one (6.25%) patient, a moderate response in eight (50%), mild response in six (37.5 %), and no response in one (6.25%) of the patients. eight (50%) patients had side effects. after 6 months treatment, the topical tretinoin 0.05% and mometasone furoate 0.1% had more efficacy than mometasone furoate 0.1% and eucerin (p = 0.02).conclusions: combination therapy with tretinoin plus topical corticosteroids is safe and effective and provides an alternative in the treatment of patients with vitiligo.