Comparative Evaluation of Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection, Narrow Band Ultraviolet B, and their Combination in Alopecia Areata

CONTEXT: Alopecia areata (AA), an autoimmune disorder, can affect any hair-bearing area. No treatment so far has produced a consistent response. Narrow band ultraviolet B (NBUVB) has not been studied in its management. AIMS: Comparative evaluation of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection, NBUVB, and their combination in AA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients (28 males and 12 females) with at least three patches of hair loss were enrolled after obtaining written informed consent. Patches were subdivided as follows: Patch 1 was injected with triamcinolone acetonide 2.5 mg/ml (total of three injections) at 3 weeks interval. Patch 2 - NBUVB was given twice a week for a total of 12 weeks. Patch 3 - combination of injection and NBUVB. Therapeutic response was recorded as regrowth of terminal hair (G0 to G4). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi-square test. P < 5% was considered significant. RESULTS: At the end of treatment and follow-up, that is, at week 12, more than 50% of hair regrowth was evident in 27 (67.5%) patients with intralesional steroid; 7 (17.5%) with NBUVB; and 25 (62.5%) patients with their combination. This difference in the clinical response was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Intralesional steroid is more effective than NBUVB and their combination is not synergistic in terms of the clinical response in AA.