Comparison between fluocinolone plus tacrolimus and fluocinolone plus NUVB in the treatment of localized morphea

Abstract

Morphea disease, also known as localized scleroderma, is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The sclerosis process occurs as diffuse thickening of the skin following skin stiffness and atrophy. Some studies have shown that UVA and UVB radiation increase the production of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase in fibroblasts. The present study aimed to compare the effect of combination therapy of tacrolimus and fluocinolone with fluocinolone and NBUVB in treating morphea. Materials and Methods: All patients with localized morphea with a maximum size of 10 cm2 were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group A treated with fluocinolone plus topical tacrolimus and group B treated with fluocinolone plus NBUVB. Treatment last for at least four months. In the base, first, second, third and fourth months after treatment, clinical features of lesions (softening of lesions and dispigmentation, change of size, etc.) and patient satisfaction, as well as possible side effects of treatment were evaluated and compared. Results: In this clinical trial, 15 patients with morphea were studied. The mean age of patients was 30.26±10.68 years, with a median of 33 years. The age range of patients was 8 to 44 years. In terms of gender distribution, six patients (40%) were male, and nine patients (60%) were female. Significantly dispigmentation, stiffness and tissue atrophy of patients' lesions in both groups after treatment were decreased. In both groups, after treatment, it was observed that there was no difference between the two groups in the number of complications. The most common complication in group A was burning, and in group B was burning and erythema. Finally, both treatments used were well-received by physicians and patients. There was no difference between the two groups in the number of lesions and during treatment.