TY - JOUR AU - Aman, Shahbaz AU - Nadeem, Muhammad PY - 2010/07/03 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Topical 5% Minoxidil Solution Alone and in Combination with 0.05% Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata JF - Annals of King Edward Medical University JA - Annals KEMU VL - 16 IS - 1 SI SE - Articles DO - 10.21649/akemu.v16i1 SI.170 UR - https://annalskemu.org/journal/index.php/annals/article/view/170 SP - AB - <p><strong>Background:&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>Alopecia Areata (AA) is a fairly common skin problem, accounting for approximately 2% of new derma-tological outpatients worldwide. There is a dire need for an innovative approach in the treatment of this disorder.<strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Objective:&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>Our objective was to assess the efficacy and safety of topical 5% minoxidil solution alone and in combination with 0.05% betamethasone dipropionate cream in the treatment of alopecia areata.<strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Method:&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>Fifty patients with alopecia areata, ages ranging from 18 to 55 years, were enrolled in the study. They were ran-domly divided into two groups, each having 25 patients. The patients in group A, were advised to apply 5% minoxidil solu-tion, twice daily for a period of three months. Whereas the patients of group B, were advised to apply 5% minoxidil solution followed by, 30-60 minutes later, the application of 0.05% betamethasone dipropionate cream. Patients of both groups applied the medicines for a period of three months after which they were followed up for the next three months. The efficacy of the drugs was assessed on the basis of percentage re-growth of hair as: Excellent (&gt; 90%), Good (70 - 90%), Satisfactory (50-69%) and Poor (&lt; 50%). The safety of treatment administered was assessed on the basis of local or systemic side effects of the drugs.<strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Results:&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>Out of 50 evaluable patients, there were 39 males and 11 females. Minoxidil 5% alone showed an excellent result in 3 (12%) patients, a good response in 10 (40%) and poor in 12 (48%) patients. Minoxidil 5% plus Betamethasone diapro-pionate cream revealed an excellent response in 11 (44%) patients, good in 9 (36%) and poor in 5 (20%) cases. Comparison of hair re-growth count in the bald patches over a 24 weeks period, showed both treatments to be effective. The combination therapy, however, seemed to be more effective in the re-growth of hair at week 12 and 24. Both treatments were well tole-rated.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions:&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>Both treatments are effective and safe over a 12 weeks period. However, the combination therapy is more effective than minoxidil solution alone in the treatment of alopecia areata.</p> <p><strong>Key Words: </strong>&nbsp;Alopecia areata, minoxidil solution, betamethasone dipropionate.</p> ER -