Benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin/UVA is more effective than fluticasone/UVA in progressive macular hypomelanosis: A randomized study

BackgroundThere is no effective treatment for progressive macular hypomelanosis. Recent findings indicate that Propionibacterium acnes may play a role in the pathogenesis.ObjectivesWe sought to compare the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy with anti-inflammatory therapy in patients with progressive macular hypomelanosis.MethodsA total of 45 patients were randomized to a within-patient left-right comparison study of benzoyl peroxide 5% hydrogel/clindamycin 1% lotion in combination with UVA irradiation versus fluticasone 0.05% cream in combination with UVA irradiation. Repigmentation was determined by photometric measurements of changes in skin color and by patient and dermatologist assessment using before and after photographs.ResultsBenzoyl peroxide 5% hydrogel, clindamycin 1% lotion, and UVA led to better repigmentation than fluticasone 0.05% cream in combination with UVA irradiation in all measurements. (Photometric measurements P = .007, patient assessment P < .0001, and dermatologist assessment P < .0001.)LimitationsThere was difficult objective color measurement. Therefore, subjective assessment has important additional value. Right-left comparisons have certain inherent limitations.ConclusionAntimicrobial therapy in conjunction with light was more effective in repigmentation in patients with progressive macular hypomelanosis than a combination of anti-inflammatory therapy and light.