BACKGROUND: Treatment-related changes in hyperpigmentation are difficult to quantify with visible light photography, especially when the changes are subtle. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the utility and reliability of fluorescence photography to measure changes in mottled and diffuse hyperpigmentation. METHODS:Thirty-two subjects, with mildly to moderately photodamaged skin, completed a 36-week, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study of tretinoin cream 0.025%. Clinical evaluation of hyperpigmentation as well as standard flash photographs and fluorescence photographs were obtained at baseline and week 36. RESULTS: The fluorescence photographs were evaluated blindly and yielded macule counts that decreased significantly from baseline in tretinoin-treated subjects compared with vehicle-treated subjects (31% vs 11% decrease; p = 0.02). Diffuse hyperpigmentation, as evaluated from the fluorescence photographs, decreased 16% from baseline for tretinoin-treated subjects and increased 5% for vehicle-treated subjects (p < 0.01). No significant differences in mottled or diffuse hyperpigmentation were observed between groups through clinical evaluation. CONCLUSION:Fluorescence photography is a noninvasive method that is sensitive in the evaluation and quantification of distribution and changes of mottled and diffuse hyperpigmentation.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Treatment-related changes in hyperpigmentation are difficult to quantify with visible light photography, especially when the changes are subtle. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the utility and reliability of fluorescence photography to measure changes in mottled and diffuse hyperpigmentation. METHODS: Thirty-two subjects, with mildly to moderately photodamaged skin, completed a 36-week, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study of tretinoin cream 0.025%. Clinical evaluation of hyperpigmentation as well as standard flash photographs and fluorescence photographs were obtained at baseline and week 36. RESULTS: The fluorescence photographs were evaluated blindly and yielded macule counts that decreased significantly from baseline in tretinoin-treated subjects compared with vehicle-treated subjects (31% vs 11% decrease; p = 0.02). Diffuse hyperpigmentation, as evaluated from the fluorescence photographs, decreased 16% from baseline for tretinoin-treated subjects and increased 5% for vehicle-treated subjects (p < 0.01). No significant differences in mottled or diffuse hyperpigmentation were observed between groups through clinical evaluation. CONCLUSION: Fluorescence photography is a noninvasive method that is sensitive in the evaluation and quantification of distribution and changes of mottled and diffuse hyperpigmentation.
Authors: Ryan G Gamble; Nancy L Asdigian; Jenny Aalborg; Victoria Gonzalez; Neil F Box; Laura S Huff; Anna E Barón; Joseph G Morelli; Stefan T Mokrohisky; Lori A Crane; Robert P Dellavalle Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 2012-03-09 Impact factor: 11.527