Efficacy and safety of topical calcipotriol in management of alopecia areata: A pilot study

Abstract

Reports have highlighted serum vitamin D deficiency and reduced 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) receptors(VDR) expression on hair follicles of alopecia areata(AA) patients. Very few studies have demonstrated efficacy of topical calcipotriol (vitamin D analogue) in AA. We intended to study the efficacy of calcipotriol lotion 0.005% in AA and correlate its outcome with serum vitamin D levels. We conducted a prospective study, in which 22 patients with AA were treated with calcipotriol lotion 0.005% twice daily for 3 months. Clinico-epidemiological parameters including severity of AA and SALT score were calculated at baseline and at 12 weeks. Hair regrowth was assessed monthly at 4, 8, 12 weeks. Serum vitamin D levels were measured at baseline. After 12 weeks of treatment, hair regrowth was observed in 13 (59.1%) patients. Mean period for onset of disease stabilization and hair regrowth was 4 weeks and 4.21± 2.13 weeks, respectively. Among these 13 patients, SALT and SALT was observed in 6(46.2%) and 2(9%) patients, respectively. Response to treatment was better in patients with lower vitamin D levels (p < .009). Topical calcipotriol can be an alternative treatment in AA and it could prove to be more useful in patients who are vitamin D deficient.

The Role of Micronutrients in Alopecia Areata: A Review

“…Studies of vitamin D in AA are summarized in (Table 1) [32–44]. Some have specifically examined the role of the VDR.…”

“…Its mechanism of action is partially explained by inhibition of T-cell proliferation and a reduction in inflammatory mediator production [48, 49]. Studies (Table 1) [38–41, 44] of topical vitamin D analogs for AA are currently few and results have been inconsistent. Furthermore, interpretation of findings are challenging considering that 34–80% of AA patients will undergo spontaneous recovery without any treatment [50].…”

“…The most recent study [44] of topical vitamin D analogs by Narang et al assessed a twice-daily regimen of topical 0.005% calcipotriol for 22 patients with patchy AA, with no placebo arm. 59.1% of patients had hair re-growth with onset at 4.21 ± 2.13 weeks.…”

Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Alopecia: A Comprehensive Review

“…Twice daily topical 0.005% calcipotriol in 22 patients with patchy AA resulted in 59.1% of patients demonstrating hair growth within 4.21 ± 2.13 weeks. Patients with lower baseline serum vitamin D levels responded faster and more robustly [92]. Studies using topical vitamin D in alopecia are inconsistent and limited by small sample size or lack of appropriate controls.…”

“…Studies using topical vitamin D in alopecia are inconsistent and limited by small sample size or lack of appropriate controls. Preliminary results suggest a potential therapeutic benefit for topical vitamin D, with minor side effects [88][89][90][91][92].…”