Comparative Efficacy of Tacrolimus and Clobetasol Propionate in Alopecia Areata

Comparative Efficacy of Tacrolimus 0.1% and Clobetasol Propionate 0.05% in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

Methodology: The 70 patients of age 20 to 50 years presented to the out-patient department of CMH Abbottabad suffering from alopecia areata were enrolled. The non-probability consecutive sampling technique was used. Patient in group-A applied clobetasol propionate 0.05% twice daily, whereas Group-B applied topical tacrolimus 0.1% twice daily for upto 3 months. The Patients were assessed at baseline, 4th weeks, 8th week and 12th week after treatment of each session. Hair loss was calculated from SALT score at presentation and on follow-up after 3 months. The degree of response was assessed on the basis of hair re-growth as excellent (>75% re-growth), Marked (51-75% re-growth), moderate (26-50% re-growth), or slight (≤25% re-growth). To determine statistical significance χ2-square test, taking p-value <0.05 as significant, was used.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients age 20 to 50 years
• Both male and female
• Duration of illness less than 2 months
• those who never received any treatment before

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients having duration of alopecia greater than 2 months
• Atypical alopecia areata i.e., Alopecia universalis etc
• Hypersensitivity history to topical corticosteroids or tacrolimus
• patients taking any systemic immune suppression
• pregnancy/lactation