Effectiveness of Fractional Erbium-YAG Laser, Microneedling, Platelet-Rich Plasma in Localized Stable Vitiligo Patients: Randomized Clinical Trial
ABSTRACT
Vitiligo is a challenging autoimmune disease to treat. This study compared the effects of fractional erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser-assisted delivery of platelet-rich plasma with microneedling (Mn) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in enhancing skin repigmentation in localized stable vitiligo patients.
40 patients were randomly assigned to two groups: one undergoing fractional Er:YAG laser with PRP and the other undergoing microneedling with PRP. The treatments were repeated every 2 weeks for 6 months, and the patients’ progress was assessed using the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI).
The fractional Er:YAG + PRP group achieved better pigmentation (100%), with 30% rated as excellent, 15% as very good, 30% as good, and 25% as satisfactory. The microneedling + PRP group demonstrated repigmentation in 80% of cases, with 20% rated as very good, 10% as good, and 50% as mild. Both groups showed a statistically significant decrease in VASI scores after therapy compared to baseline (p = 0.001 for group A and 0.003 for group B).
The fractional Er:YAG laser therapy group experienced significantly fewer side effects (5%) compared to the microneedling group (25%) (p = 0.048). The study concluded that both therapies induced repigmentation, but fractional Er:YAG laser combined with platelet-rich plasma showed greater efficacy.
Clinical trials.gov identifier: NCT05511493.
Value of Clinical Trials in Healthcare
Clinical trials play a crucial role in developing safe and effective treatments and bringing their benefits into everyday medical practice. DocSym, an AI-driven platform, consolidates ICD-11 standards, clinical protocols, and research into a single, easily accessible knowledge base for clinicians.
Streamlining Healthcare Operations
In today’s healthcare environment, streamlining operations is crucial. Our mobile apps support scheduling, monitoring treatments, and telemedicine, making it easier to manage patient care and expand services digitally. By using AI, clinics can enhance their workflows, improve patient outcomes, and reduce paper routines.
Learn more about how we can help at aidevmd.com.