Autologous cell suspension grafting in segmental vitiligo and piebaldism: a randomized controlled trial comparing full surface and fractional CO2 laser recipient-site preparations.

BACKGROUND: Autologous noncultured cell suspension transplantation is an effective treatment for repigmentation in segmental vitiligo and piebaldism. Full surface laser ablation is frequently used to prepare the recipient site before cell suspension transplantation, even though the optimal laser settings and ablation depth are unknown. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of less invasive recipient-site preparations. METHODS: In a randomized, observer-blinded, controlled trial we compared different recipient-site preparations before cell suspension transplantation in segmental vitiligo and piebaldism. In each patient, we randomly allocated three CO2 laser recipient-site preparations (209 and 144 µm full surface, and fractional) and a control (no treatment) to four depigmentations. After 6 months we assessed repigmentation and side-effects. RESULTS: We included 10 patients with vitiligo (n = 3) and piebaldism (n = 7). Compared with the control site, we found more repigmentation after full surface ablation at 209 µm (median 68·7%, P = 0·01) and 144 µm (median 58·3%, P = 0·007), but no repigmentation after fractional ablation (median 0·0%, P = 0·14). CONCLUSIONS: Superficial full surface ablation with a depth of 144 µm is an effective recipient-site preparation before cell suspension transplantation, while fractional CO2 laser is not.

The validity, reliability and acceptability of the SAVASI; a new self-assessment score in vitiligo.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a common depigmenting skin disorder that can influence a patient's quality of life. Although patient-orientated medicine is an emerging concept, a self-assessment tool to assess the degree of depigmentation in vitiligo is not yet available. Therefore, we developed the SAVASI, a self-assessment tool that uses the same basic principles as the VASI. OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity, reliability and acceptability of the SAVASI. METHODS: To assess the validity of the SAVASI, we compared the scores assessed by the patient with the scores of the VASI assessed by the physician. To assess the intra-rater reliability, the correlation between the baseline SAVASI and the SAVASI after 2 weeks was calculated. To assess the acceptability, patients indicated the time needed to complete the SAVASI and the patient assessed the difficulty of the questionnaire on a five-point scale. The Skindex-29 was used to determine the quality of life. The overestimation of the SAVASI compared to the VASI was calculated by subtracting the VASI scores off from the SAVASI scores. RESULTS: A high correlation between the VASI and the SAVASI (ICC 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95-0.98) was found in 60 patients. The intra-rater reliability of the SAVASI (ICC 0.75, 95% CI 0.54-0.87) was adequate in 31 patients. Fifty (83%) of the patients completed the questionnaire within 10 min and only five (8%) of the patients considered the SAVASI hard. We found no correlation between overestimation of the SAVASI score and the Skindex-29 score. CONCLUSION: The SAVASI is a valid, reliable and acceptable self-assessment tool to measure the degree of depigmentation in vitiligo. With the SAVASI the degree of depigmentation can reliably be assessed by the patient themselves which can be useful in large (epidemiological) studies. Furthermore, this could contribute to the patient's disease insight and therapy loyalty.

Vitiligo Area Scoring Index and Vitiligo European Task Force assessment: reliable and responsive instruments to measure the degree of depigmentation in vitiligo.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a common skin disorder causing depigmented macules that can impair a patient's quality of life. Currently, there are no standardized outcome measures to assess the degree of depigmentation. Moreover, there is limited knowledge on the measurement properties of outcome measures in vitiligo. OBJECTIVES: To assess the reliability and responsiveness of the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) and the Vitiligo European Task Force assessment (VETFa), two well-described clinician-reported outcomes. METHODS: We included three vitiligo patient groups. In one group of 31 patients, the interobserver reliability was assessed by three observers. In 27 patients the intraobserver reliability was assessed by two repeated measures by one of the observers. To assess the responsiveness the repigmentation was calculated after 6 months of phototherapy in 33 patients and tested against hypotheses. RESULTS: The interobserver reliability was high for VASI [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0·93] and VETFa depigmentation (ICC 0·88). The intraobserver reliability was high for VASI (ICC 0·93) and VETFa depigmentation (ICC 0·97). The smallest detectable changes (SDCs) were 7·1% and 10·4% for interobserver reliability and 4·7% and 2·9% for intraobserver reliability in VASI and VETFa depigmentation, respectively. All four responsiveness hypotheses formulated a priori were confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: VASI and VETFa are reliable and responsive instruments to assess the degree of depigmentation in vitiligo. VASI and VETFa for depigmentation are potential instruments for vitiligo research in the future. However, for use in individual patient care, caution is needed when interpreting score changes in individual patients because of the relatively large SDC.

Q-switched laser depigmentation in vitiligo, most effective in active disease.

BACKGROUND: In widespread vitiligo, when repigmentation therapies are no longer feasible, Q-switched lasers can be used to remove the remaining disfiguring pigmentation. However, little literature is available on the long-term effects of Q-switched laser treatment in patients with vitiligo, and the variables influencing the effect of treatment are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate retrospectively the effectiveness, safety and patient satisfaction of Q-switched ruby (QSR) laser-induced depigmentation in widespread vitiligo. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study on well-documented patients with vitiligo with widespread lesions who received depigmentation therapy with the QSR laser between 2000 and 2012 in our institute. Eligible patients were asked to visit our institute for assessment of depigmentation and to fill in a questionnaire on patient satisfaction and disease variables. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 13 months, 48% of the 27 included patients showed > 75% depigmentation. Patients with active disease at the time of treatment had significantly better results than patients with stable disease (P < 0·05). Twenty-three (85%) patients were satisfied after treatment. Eighteen patients (67%) reported temporary side-effects after treatment. None of the patients reported adverse effects, such as scars or infections. CONCLUSION: Q-switched ruby laser therapy is effective in approximately half of patients treated; it is a safe treatment with a high patient satisfaction. Patients with active vitiligo show better results after treatment than patients with stable vitiligo. Therefore, in patients with stable vitiligo resistant to trial treatment, we advise postponing treatment until their vitiligo becomes active.