Comparison of Topical Calcipotriol and Intralesional Steroids in Alopecia Areata

Summary

This randomized controlled trial compares the effectiveness of topical calcipotriol and intralesional corticosteroids in the treatment of alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes non-scarring hair loss and can significantly affect quality of life. Intralesional corticosteroids are commonly used as first-line therapy; however, response rates vary and treatment may be associated with discomfort and local adverse effects. Sixty adult patients with patchy alopecia areata involving less than 50% of the scalp were randomly assigned to receive either topical calcipotriol or intralesional corticosteroid injections for 12 weeks. Participants were evaluated at four-week intervals. Treatment response was assessed using the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score and percentage improvement from baseline. The primary objective is to compare reduction in SALT score between the two treatment groups. Secondary outcomes include overall treatment efficacy and safety. The findings aim to determine whether topical calcipotriol provides superior or comparable clinical benefit to intralesional corticosteroids in patients with alopecia areata.

Timeline

Start

2026-04-01

Primary completion

2026-10-01

Completion

2026-10-01

Publications

• Results Alam M, Amin SS, Adil M, Arif T, Zahra FT, Varshney I. Comparative Study of Efficacy of Topical Mometasone with Calcipotriol versus Mometasone Alone in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata. Int J Trichology. 2019 May-Jun;11(3):123-127. doi: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_18_19.
• Results Lee S, Lee WS. Management of alopecia areata: Updates and algorithmic approach. J Dermatol. 2017 Nov;44(11):1199-1211. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.13933. Epub 2017 Jun 21.
• Results Strazzulla LC, Wang EHC, Avila L, Lo Sicco K, Brinster N, Christiano AM, Shapiro J. Alopecia areata: Disease characteristics, clinical evaluation, and new perspectives on pathogenesis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018 Jan;78(1):1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.04.1141.
• Results Molinelli E, Campanati A, Brisigotti V, Sapigni C, Paolinelli M, Offidani A. Efficacy and Safety of Topical Calcipotriol 0.005% Versus Topical Clobetasol 0.05% in the Management of Alopecia Areata: An Intrasubject Pilot Study. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2020 Jun;10(3):515-521. doi: 10.1007/s13555-020-00379-7. Epub 2020 Apr 27.

Drugs

Indications