Comparison of efficacy and safety of 0.005% calcipotriol ointment versus 0.05% betamethasone dipropionate ointment versus calcipotriol plus betamethasone ointment for the treatment of vitiligo

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of calcipotriol ointment versus betamethasone ointment versus calcipotriol plus betamethasone ointment in patients of vitiligo. Methods Patients with vitiligo (n=159) were randomized in three equal groups A, B and C. Group A (n=53) applied topical calcipotriol ointment, group B (n=53) applied topical betamethasone dipropionate ointment and group C (n=53) applied calcipotriol plus betamethasone ointment for a total of three months and were followed up for further 1 month. They were evaluated for improvement in pigmentation using Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) and side effects. Results Out of a total of 159 patients, females (66.7%) out-numbered male patients (33.3%). Mean of change in VASI was 38.77 in group C, 26.23 in group B and 18.30 in group A. Overall change in VASI was highest in group C with a statistically significant p = 0.008. All the groups showed few side effects like erythema, burning, atrophy and acneiform eruption, which were not statistically significant. Conclusion All topical therapies were found to be efficacious and safe in the treatment of vitiligo. But out of these three drugs, the combination of calcipotriol and betamethasone was superior in efficacy.