| Methotrexate iontophoresis versus Methotrexate 1% gel on Depigmentation in vitiligo patients : pilot study |
| Paper ID : 1107-ISCSR3 (R1) |
| Authors |
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Toka Tareq Anwar *1, Amr Abo Gazia2, Amir Nazih Wade'a1, Haitham Amin Elessawy1, lamiaa said Tolba1, Rania Ahmed Mohamed Diab1 1Pharos university in Alexandria 2pharos university in Alexandria |
| Abstract |
| Background : Vitiligo is a prevalent depigmenting skin disorder caused by the selective destruction of melanocytes, affecting individuals regardless of skin type or race. Methotrexate (MTX) is an immune-modulating drug, has shown promise results in vitiligo treatment. While oral MTX causes hepatotoxic risks, iontophoresis a non-invasive drug delivery method offer safer alternatives with enhanced efficacy. Objectives : This study aimed to compare the efficacy of methotrexate iontophoresis versus topical methotrexate 1% gel on depigmentation in vitiligo patients. Design: The study was a parallel single-blinded randomized clinical trial conducted over 8 weeks, involving two patients with non-segmental vitiligo diagnosed by a dermatologist. Methods : Participants were divided into two groups: study group received iontophoresis (5–10 mA, 15 min/session) weekly for 4 weeks, then biweekly for 2 weeks (total 6 sessions), while control group applied topical methotrexate 1% gel twice daily for 8 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using the Vitiligo Area and Severity Index (VASI) for depigmentation and the Vitiligo Impact Scale-22 (VIS-22) for quality of life. Adverse effects were monitored throughout the study. Results: Both treatments demonstrated comparable re-pigmentation efficacy, with minimal changes in VASI scores (study group: pre =0.5 , post=0.45; control group : pre=0.5 , post=0.4). VIS-22 scores ( study group: pre=13 , post=13 ; control group: pre=25 , post=23 ) showed negligible impact on quality of life for both patients. control group reported slight skin irritation, whereas no adverse effects were observed in study group. Conclusion: Both methotrexate iontophoresis and topical methotrexate 1% gel showed similar effectiveness in vitiligo re-pigmentation, with iontophoresis presenting a safer profile. Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to validate these findings |
| Keywords |
| vitiligo, methotrexate, iontophoresis, depigmentation |
| Status: Abstract Accepted |