Intralesional vitamin D3 versus intralesional triamcinolone acetonoid in patchy alopecia areata: a comparative clinical and dermoscopic study.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune T-cell mediated non-scarring, form of hair loss. It affects people of all ages and sexes. AIM: To compare the efficacy of intralesional vitamin D3 injection versus that of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of patchy alopecia areata. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This clinical study was carried on 40 adult patients with patchy alopecia areata, the patients were categorized into two groups. Group I involved 20 patients who received 1 ml of intralesional injection of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol aqueous preparation 200 000 IU/2 ml) every 4 weeks for a maximum of three sessions. Group II involved 20 patients who received 1 ml of intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg/mL every 4 weeks for a maximum of three sessions. Clinical and trichoscopic evaluations were done at the baseline, each session and for 3 months after the last session. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two studied groups regarding the degree of clinical improvement (p = .8). A statistically significant reduction in AA specific trichoscopic signs was detected at the end of the sessions and after 3 months of follow-up in both groups, without any statistically significant difference between them. Also a statistically significant difference was found between both groups regarding the reported adverse effects with a significant better patient satisfaction encountered toward the intralesional vitamin D3 injection. CONCLUSION: Intralesional vitamin D3 is a promising effective, simple, safe, and inexpensive, therapeutic modality for patchy AA.