The efficacy of ablation-based combination therapy for vitiligo: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of vitiligo treatments with and without ablation therapy.

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature published before September 15, 2017. Comparative studies of vitiligo patients treated with and without ablation therapy were included. The primary outcome was ≥ 50 % repigmentation. Secondary outcomes were ≥ 75 % repigmentation and patient scores on a subjective visual analogue scale.

Fifteen studies with a total of 401 participants were included. The ablation-based combination therapy group had significantly superior results to the control group (odds ratio [OR] for ≥ 50 % repigmentation: 10.490, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 4.632-23.757; OR for ≥ 75 % repigmentation: 5.812, 95 % CI: 2.194-15.393). Patients receiving ablation-based combination therapy were significantly more satisfied with the efficacy than the control group (standardized mean difference: 1.073, 95 % CI: 0.528-1.619). Subgroup analysis showed that the erbium laser group, CO₂ laser group and fractional CO₂ laser group achieved significantly better repigmentation than the control groups.

According to objective and subjective evaluations, treatments for vitiligo are more effective when combined with ablation therapy than when used alone.