Farahnaz Fatemi Naeini1, Fatemeh Mohaghegh2, Minoo Jelvan3, Ali Asilian4, Mina Saber5. 1. Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: fatemi@med.mui.ac.ir. 2. Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: f.mohaghegh@med.mui.ac.ir. 3. Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: minoo.jelvan@gmail.com. 4. Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: asilian@med.mui.ac.ir. 5. Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: mi.saber@med.mui.ac.ir.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Lichen Planopilaris (LPP) is a primary scarring alopecia with unknown etiology and its management is a challenge for dermatologists. We aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of methotrexate and cyclosporine in LPP patients. METHODS: In a randomized clinical trials, 33 patients were randomly allocated to receive either 15-mg oral methotrexate per week or 3-5-mg/kg/day cyclosporine for six months. During the treatment course, side effects, signs/symptoms and laboratory test were assessed periodically. Lichen planopilaris activity index (LPPAI) was measured at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 months after the intervention. Score of both photography and patient's opinion were also obtained. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software (Ver.25.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). RESULTS: Both medications had positive effects on the signs and symptoms of LPP with a significant difference between the variables (p < 0.05), and the results showed similar efficacy at the end of 6th months of the therapy with both cyclosporine and methotrexate (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the results of the present study, both cyclosporine and methotrexate are effective in treating refractory lichen planopilaris and we propose methotrexate as a possible earlier choice over cyclosporine. This study was registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20190717044256N1).
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Lichen Planopilaris (LPP) is a primary scarring alopecia with unknown etiology and its management is a challenge for dermatologists. We aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of methotrexate and cyclosporine in LPP patients. METHODS: In a randomized clinical trials, 33 patients were randomly allocated to receive either 15-mg oral methotrexate per week or 3-5-mg/kg/day cyclosporine for six months. During the treatment course, side effects, signs/symptoms and laboratory test were assessed periodically. Lichen planopilaris activity index (LPPAI) was measured at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 months after the intervention. Score of both photography and patient's opinion were also obtained. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software (Ver.25.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). RESULTS: Both medications had positive effects on the signs and symptoms of LPP with a significant difference between the variables (p < 0.05), and the results showed similar efficacy at the end of 6th months of the therapy with both cyclosporine and methotrexate (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the results of the present study, both cyclosporine and methotrexate are effective in treating refractory lichen planopilaris and we propose methotrexate as a possible earlier choice over cyclosporine. This study was registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20190717044256N1).