Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus and pimecrolimus ointment for treating Vitiligo. Methods We searched the MEDLINE (1966 to June 2008), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2008), OVID (1978 to June 2008), EMbase (1980 to June 2008), CBM (1978 to June 2008), and CNKI (1979 to June 2008) to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We also handsearched relevant journals and conference proceedings. The language was confined to English and Chinese. We screened the retrieved studies according to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, evaluated the quality of included studies, and performed meta-analyses using the Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 4.2 software. Results Fourteen trials involving 414 patients in 11 self-control trials and 182 patients in other 3 trials were included and assessed. The rate of 75% repigmentation induced by combination of topical tacrolimus with monochromatic excimer light was higher than that of control [RR= – 2.28, 95%CI (1.02, 5.10)]. The efficacy rate of combination treatment was also obviously higher than that of control [RR= 1.24, 95%CI (1.13, 1.37)]. The irradiation number of initial repigmentation induced by combination of topical pimecrolimus with monochromatic excimer light was less than that of control [WMD= – 3.00, 95%CI (– 3.22, – 2.78)], and the repigmentationrate of facial lesions in the combination group was higher than that of control. The efficacy rate of topical tacrolimus combination with Fufang Kaliziran Ding was significantly higher than that of control [RR= 1.83, 95% (1.14, 2.94)]. No significant difference was seen between topical tacrolimus combination with the NB-UVB group and the control group, or between the topical tacrolimus or pimecrolimus alone group with the control group. The side effects were limited and brief. Conclusion The limited evidence indicats that the combination of topical tacrolimus with monochromatic excimer light or Fufang Kaliziran Ding could improve the efficacy rate of treating vitiligo leukoplakia. The combination of topical pimecrolimuswith monochromatic excimer light shortens the irradiation number of initial repigmentation and works better on facial lesions.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pimecrolimus for oral lichen planus (OLP). Methods We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (1990 to 2007), EMBASE (1990 to 2007), and the Chinese Biomedicine Database (1990 to 2007) to collect parallel group randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cross-over trials comparing pimecrolimus with triamcinolone acctonide or placebo. The Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 4.2 software was used for data analyses. Results Three RCTs were included. Meta-analyses showed that pimecrolimus did not improve oral cavity ache measured by VAS (visual analogue scale) (WMD –0.5, 95%CI –9.77 to 8.77), OHIP (oral health impact profile) (WMD 0.9, 95%CI –0.6 to 2.4) and CSS (clinical status score) (WMD 0.00mm2, 95%CI –0.40 to 0.40); compared with triamcinolone acctonide. In comparison to placebo, pimecrolimus did not improve oral cavity ache measured by VAS (WMD –3.30, 95%CI –20.20 to 13.92) or CSS (WMD –56.57, 95%CI -134.02 to 20.88) and did not reduce burning sensations (OR 4.98, 95%CI 0.49 to 50.22) as well. Conclusion Pimecrolimus should not be regarded as a better choice than triamcinolone acctonide or placebo for improving the VAS, OHIP or CSS of patients with oral lichen planus. Since the RCTs available for this systematic review are too small, further high-quality large-scale RCTs with standard clinical evaluation are required to provide more reliable evidence.