Background: Vitiligo is a chronic acquired depigmenting disorder characterized by the selective destruction of functional melanocytes, resulting in well-demarcated depigmented macules and patches. It affects approximately 0.5–2.0% of the global population and has a substantial psychological, cosmetic, and social impact on affected individuals. Although several therapeutic modalities, including topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, phototherapy, and surgical interventions, have demonstrated varying degrees of efficacy, treatment outcomes remain unpredictable, particularly in patients with stable and treatment-resistant disease. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), an autologous concentrate enriched with platelets and growth factors, has emerged as a promising regenerative therapy capable of promoting melanocyte proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, tissue regeneration, and modulation of local inflammatory responses. Preliminary evidence suggests that PRP may enhance repigmentation when used either as a standalone treatment or as an adjunct to conventional therapies. However, prospective clinical evidence evaluating its effectiveness in routine dermatological practice remains limited.
Aim: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the management of vitiligo by assessing repigmentation, reduction in Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI), patient satisfaction, and treatment-related adverse events during a six-month follow-up period.
Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy of a tertiary care teaching hospital over a period of 24 months. A total of 120 patients with stable non-segmental vitiligo were enrolled, of whom 114 completed the study. Eligible participants received intralesional PRP injections at four-week intervals for six treatment sessions. Clinical evaluation was performed at baseline and during monthly follow-up visits for six months. Outcome measures included changes in Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI), percentage of repigmentation assessed using standardized clinical photography, physician global assessment (PGA), patient satisfaction measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Safety assessment included documentation of pain, erythema, edema, ecchymosis, infection, and disease progression. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated-measures analysis of variance, paired t-test, Chi-square test, Pearson correlation, and multivariable regression analysis. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Of the 114 participants who completed follow-up, the mean age was 32.9 ± 11.6 years, with females comprising 57.0% of the study population. The mean baseline VASI score decreased significantly from 7.84 ± 2.31 to 3.68 ± 1.84 at six months (p<0.001). The mean percentage of repigmentation progressively increased throughout follow-up, reaching 56.8 ± 18.9% at the end of the study. Excellent repigmentation (≥75%) was achieved in 28.1% of patients, while good repigmentation (50–74%) was observed in 39.5%. Significant improvement in physician global assessment, patient satisfaction scores, and DLQI was also observed (p<0.001). Better therapeutic response was independently associated with younger age, shorter disease duration, facial lesions, smaller lesion size, and shorter duration of vitiligo. Treatment-related adverse events were mild, transient, and self-limiting, with injection-site pain and transient erythema being the most frequently reported complications.
Conclusion: Platelet-rich plasma is a safe, minimally invasive, and effective therapeutic modality for stable vitiligo, producing significant repigmentation, reduction in disease severity, and improvement in quality of life with minimal adverse effects. PRP represents a promising regenerative treatment option that may be considered either as monotherapy or as an adjunct to conventional vitiligo therapies. Larger multicentric randomized controlled trials with longer follow-up are warranted to establish standardized treatment protocols and determine long-term therapeutic durability.
Vitiligo is a chronic acquired pigmentary disorder characterized by the selective destruction or functional impairment of epidermal melanocytes, resulting in the development of well-demarcated depigmented macules and patches.[1] The condition affects approximately 0.5–2.0% of the global population irrespective of age, sex, or ethnicity, although the prevalence varies among different geographical regions.[2] Vitiligo may develop at any age, with nearly half of all cases occurring before the age of 20 years. Although the disease is not associated with increased mortality or significant physical disability, its visible nature frequently leads to profound psychological distress, diminished self-esteem, social stigma, anxiety, depression, and impaired quality of life, particularly in individuals with extensive or cosmetically sensitive lesions.[3,4]
The exact etiopathogenesis of vitiligo remains incompletely understood and is believed to be multifactorial. Current evidence supports the involvement of autoimmune mechanisms, oxidative stress, genetic susceptibility, melanocyte detachment, neural dysfunction, inflammatory mediators, and environmental triggers in melanocyte destruction.[5] Autoimmune-mediated cytotoxic T-cell responses directed against melanocytes represent the most widely accepted pathogenic mechanism. Additionally, excessive oxidative stress has been shown to induce melanocyte apoptosis and impair melanocyte survival, thereby contributing to disease progression.[6,7]
Vitiligo is broadly classified into segmental and non-segmental forms, with non-segmental vitiligo accounting for nearly 85–90% of all cases. The disease typically follows a chronic and unpredictable course characterized by alternating periods of stability and progression.[8] Clinical management aims to halt disease activity, stimulate melanocyte regeneration, promote repigmentation, and improve cosmetic appearance while minimizing recurrence.[9]
Several therapeutic modalities have been employed in the management of vitiligo, including topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy, excimer laser therapy, systemic immunomodulatory agents, and various surgical procedures such as melanocyte transplantation.[10,11] Although these treatment options demonstrate variable success, many patients experience incomplete repigmentation, prolonged treatment duration, frequent relapses, or suboptimal cosmetic outcomes. Consequently, there remains an ongoing search for novel therapeutic approaches capable of enhancing melanocyte regeneration and improving long-term clinical outcomes.[12,13]
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as an important regenerative treatment modality in various medical specialties because of its high concentration of autologous platelets and biologically active growth factors.[14] PRP contains platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-β, vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, and numerous cytokines that collectively promote cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, tissue regeneration, extracellular matrix remodeling, and wound healing.[15] These biological properties have generated increasing interest regarding the potential role of PRP in stimulating melanocyte proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival within depigmented skin.[16]
Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that PRP may enhance melanocyte activity by improving the local microenvironment, increasing angiogenesis, reducing oxidative stress, and facilitating tissue regeneration.[17] Growth factors released following platelet activation may stimulate dormant melanocyte stem cells within hair follicles, promote migration of melanocytes into depigmented epidermis, and augment the effects of conventional therapeutic modalities such as NB-UVB phototherapy and fractional laser therapy.[18] Furthermore, the autologous nature of PRP minimizes the risk of immunological reactions and systemic adverse effects, making it an attractive minimally invasive treatment option.[19]
Several recent clinical studies have reported encouraging results following PRP therapy in patients with stable vitiligo, either as monotherapy or in combination with established treatment modalities [20]. Improvements have been demonstrated in repigmentation rates, Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI), Physician Global Assessment (PGA), patient satisfaction, and quality of life.[21] However, considerable heterogeneity exists among published studies with respect to PRP preparation techniques, platelet concentration, injection protocols, treatment intervals, outcome measures, and duration of follow-up. These methodological variations have limited direct comparison between studies and have prevented the establishment of standardized clinical recommendations.[22]
Moreover, most available studies have involved relatively small sample sizes, short follow-up durations, or combined PRP with adjunctive therapies, making it difficult to isolate the independent therapeutic contribution of PRP.[23] Prospective cohort studies evaluating serial clinical improvement using standardized assessment tools and objective outcome measures remain comparatively limited. Additional evidence is therefore required to define the effectiveness, safety profile, predictors of therapeutic response, and long-term clinical utility of PRP in routine dermatological practice.[24]
A comprehensive evaluation incorporating changes in Vitiligo Area Scoring Index, percentage repigmentation, physician-assessed clinical improvement, patient-reported satisfaction, quality-of-life outcomes, and treatment-related adverse events would provide valuable evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness of PRP. Such information may contribute to optimizing patient selection, refining treatment protocols, and facilitating evidence-based integration of regenerative therapies into the contemporary management of vitiligo.[25]
Therefore, it is of importance to evaluate the efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma in the management of stable vitiligo by prospectively assessing clinical repigmentation, disease severity, quality of life, patient satisfaction, and treatment-related adverse events during longitudinal follow-up.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Design
This prospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the management of stable vitiligo by prospectively assessing clinical repigmentation, disease severity, quality of life, and treatment-related adverse events during a six-month follow-up period.
Study Setting
The study was carried out in the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Patients attending the dermatology outpatient department with clinically diagnosed stable vitiligo were consecutively screened for eligibility during the study period.
Study Duration
The study was conducted over a period of 24 months from January 2024 to December 2025, including participant recruitment, intervention, follow-up, data collection, and statistical analysis.
Sample Size Calculation
The sample size was calculated using the formula for estimation of a single population mean based on the anticipated reduction in the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) following PRP therapy.
Where:
After accounting for an anticipated 10% attrition rate during follow-up, the required sample size was calculated as 120 participants.
A total of 120 patients fulfilling the eligibility criteria were enrolled. During follow-up, 6 participants (5.0%) were lost to follow-up owing to non-compliance or missed scheduled visits. Consequently, 114 participants completed the study and were included in the final statistical analysis.
Study Population
Patients diagnosed with stable non-segmental vitiligo attending the dermatology outpatient department during the study period constituted the study population.
Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
PRP Preparation and Treatment Protocol
Approximately 20 mL of autologous venous blood was collected from each participant under aseptic precautions using acid citrate dextrose (ACD) as the anticoagulant. Platelet-rich plasma was prepared using a standardized double-spin centrifugation technique. The first centrifugation was performed to separate plasma from erythrocytes, followed by a second centrifugation to concentrate platelets.
The prepared PRP contained an average platelet concentration approximately 4–5 times higher than baseline whole blood. PRP was activated immediately before administration using 10% calcium chloride.
After cleansing the treatment area with antiseptic solution, PRP was administered intradermally into depigmented lesions using a 30-gauge insulin syringe, maintaining approximately 1 cm spacing between injection points until uniform coverage of the lesion was achieved.
Participants received six treatment sessions, each performed at four-week intervals.
Clinical Assessment
Detailed demographic information, duration of disease, family history, previous treatment, lesion distribution, lesion size, and duration of stability were documented at enrollment.
Clinical evaluation was performed at baseline and subsequently at monthly follow-up visits until completion of six months.
Standardized digital clinical photographs were obtained under identical lighting conditions and camera settings at every visit to facilitate objective comparison.
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
Secondary Outcome Measures
Assessment of Repigmentation
Clinical repigmentation was graded according to the percentage improvement observed at six months.
|
Grade |
Percentage Repigmentation |
|
Excellent |
≥75% |
|
Good |
50–74% |
|
Moderate |
25–49% |
|
Poor |
<25% |
The extent of repigmentation was independently assessed by two experienced dermatologists using standardized clinical photographs.
Safety Assessment
Participants were evaluated during every treatment session for adverse events including:
The severity and duration of each adverse event were documented.
Statistical Analysis
Ethical Considerations
The study protocol received prior approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee before initiation of participant recruitment. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants before enrollment. Confidentiality of participant information was maintained throughout the study, and all study procedures were conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice guidelines.
RESULTS
A total of 120 patients with clinically diagnosed stable non-segmental vitiligo were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. During the six-month follow-up period, 6 participants (5.0%) were lost to follow-up because of non-compliance with scheduled treatment sessions or missed follow-up visits. Consequently, 114 participants (95.0%) completed the study and were included in the final analysis. The study population comprised predominantly young and middle-aged adults with a slight female predominance. Most participants had disease duration ranging from one to five years, with facial and upper limb lesions representing the most frequently affected anatomical sites. Serial clinical assessment demonstrated progressive improvement following platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, with significant reductions in Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) scores and corresponding increases in the percentage of clinical repigmentation during follow-up. Physician Global Assessment, patient satisfaction, and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores also improved significantly throughout the study period. Younger age, shorter disease duration, facial lesions, and smaller baseline lesion size were associated with superior therapeutic outcomes. PRP therapy was well tolerated, with only mild and transient adverse events observed during treatment. Overall, the findings indicate that PRP is an effective and safe therapeutic modality for achieving clinically meaningful repigmentation in patients with stable vitiligo.
Table 1. Baseline Demographic Characteristics of the Study Participants (n = 114)
Table 1 presents the baseline demographic characteristics of the study participants.
|
Variable |
Category |
Frequency (n) |
Percentage (%) |
|
Age (years) |
18–30 |
47 |
41.2 |
|
31–40 |
34 |
29.8 |
|
|
41–50 |
21 |
18.4 |
|
|
51–60 |
12 |
10.5 |
|
|
Mean Age (years) |
32.9 ± 11.6 |
— |
— |
|
Gender |
Male |
49 |
43.0 |
|
Female |
65 |
57.0 |
|
|
BMI (kg/m²) |
<18.5 |
8 |
7.0 |
|
18.5–24.9 |
66 |
57.9 |
|
|
25.0–29.9 |
29 |
25.4 |
|
|
≥30 |
11 |
9.7 |
Table 2. Baseline Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Vitiligo (n = 114)
Table 2 summarizes the baseline clinical characteristics of patients included in the study.
|
Variable |
Category |
Frequency (n) |
Percentage (%) |
|
Disease Duration |
<1 Year |
23 |
20.2 |
|
1–3 Years |
45 |
39.5 |
|
|
3–5 Years |
28 |
24.6 |
|
|
>5 Years |
18 |
15.8 |
|
|
Family History of Vitiligo |
Present |
29 |
25.4 |
|
Absent |
85 |
74.6 |
|
|
Clinical Stability |
6–12 Months |
71 |
62.3 |
|
>12 Months |
43 |
37.7 |
Table 3. Distribution of Vitiligo Lesions According to Anatomical Site (n = 114)
Table 3 depicts the anatomical distribution of vitiligo lesions at baseline.
|
Anatomical Site |
Frequency (n) |
Percentage (%) |
|
Face and Neck |
34 |
29.8 |
|
Upper Limbs |
29 |
25.4 |
|
Lower Limbs |
20 |
17.5 |
|
Trunk |
16 |
14.0 |
|
Acral Areas |
10 |
8.8 |
|
Multiple Sites |
5 |
4.4 |
Table 4. Baseline Disease Severity and Clinical Assessment Parameters (n = 114)
Table 4 presents the baseline disease severity and clinical assessment parameters before initiation of PRP therapy.
|
Parameter |
Mean ± SD |
|
Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) |
7.84 ± 2.31 |
|
Total Body Surface Area Involvement (%) |
8.72 ± 3.48 |
|
Largest Lesion Size (cm²) |
18.64 ± 7.15 |
|
Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) |
11.26 ± 3.72 |
|
Patient Satisfaction Score (VAS, 0–10) |
2.18 ± 0.91 |
|
Physician Global Assessment (PGA) Score |
2.08 ± 0.63 |
Table 5. Longitudinal Changes in Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) Following PRP Therapy (n = 114)
Table 5 demonstrates the progressive reduction in VASI scores during the six-month follow-up period.
|
Follow-up Visit |
Mean VASI Score ± SD |
Mean Reduction from Baseline |
Repeated Measures ANOVA (F) |
p-value |
|
Baseline |
7.84 ± 2.31 |
— |
||
|
1 Month |
7.36 ± 2.24 |
0.48 |
||
|
2 Months |
6.71 ± 2.12 |
1.13 |
||
|
3 Months |
5.89 ± 2.04 |
1.95 |
||
|
4 Months |
5.04 ± 1.98 |
2.80 |
||
|
5 Months |
4.29 ± 1.91 |
3.55 |
||
|
6 Months |
3.68 ± 1.84 |
4.16 |
158.43 |
<0.001 |
Table 6. Percentage of Clinical Repigmentation During Follow-up (n = 114)
Table 6 summarizes the progressive increase in clinical repigmentation following PRP therapy.
|
Follow-up Visit |
Mean Percentage Repigmentation ± SD |
p-value |
|
1 Month |
6.4 ± 3.9 |
<0.001 |
|
2 Months |
16.8 ± 7.2 |
<0.001 |
|
3 Months |
29.6 ± 10.4 |
<0.001 |
|
4 Months |
41.8 ± 14.1 |
<0.001 |
|
5 Months |
50.3 ± 16.5 |
<0.001 |
|
6 Months |
56.8 ± 18.9 |
<0.001 |
Table 7. Distribution of Patients According to Degree of Repigmentation at Six Months (n = 114)
Table 7 presents the final clinical response according to the percentage of repigmentation achieved at the end of follow-up.
|
Degree of Repigmentation |
Percentage Repigmentation |
Frequency (n) |
Percentage (%) |
|
Excellent |
≥75% |
32 |
28.1 |
|
Good |
50–74% |
45 |
39.5 |
|
Moderate |
25–49% |
24 |
21.1 |
|
Poor |
<25% |
13 |
11.4 |
Table 8. Changes in Quality of Life, Patient Satisfaction, and Physician Global Assessment During Follow-up (n = 114)
Table 8 demonstrates the improvement in patient-reported and physician-assessed clinical outcomes following PRP therapy.
|
Parameter |
Baseline Mean ± SD |
Six Months Mean ± SD |
Mean Change |
p-value |
|
DLQI Score |
11.26 ± 3.72 |
4.18 ± 2.21 |
−7.08 |
<0.001 |
|
Patient Satisfaction Score (VAS) |
2.18 ± 0.91 |
8.14 ± 1.17 |
+5.96 |
<0.001 |
|
Physician Global Assessment Score |
2.08 ± 0.63 |
4.36 ± 0.71 |
+2.28 |
<0.001 |
Table 9. Association Between Disease Duration and Clinical Repigmentation Following PRP Therapy (n = 114)
Table 9 demonstrates the relationship between the duration of vitiligo and the percentage of clinical repigmentation achieved after six months of PRP therapy.
|
Disease Duration |
n |
Mean Percentage Repigmentation ± SD |
Mean Reduction in VASI Score ± SD |
Excellent/Good Response n (%) |
p-value |
|
<1 Year |
23 |
71.8 ± 12.6 |
5.42 ± 1.38 |
21 (91.3) |
|
|
1–3 Years |
45 |
61.9 ± 15.4 |
4.68 ± 1.42 |
34 (75.6) |
|
|
3–5 Years |
28 |
49.2 ± 13.8 |
3.69 ± 1.26 |
15 (53.6) |
|
|
>5 Years |
18 |
36.5 ± 11.7 |
2.84 ± 1.18 |
7 (38.9) |
<0.001 |
Table 10. Clinical Response According to Anatomical Site of Vitiligo Lesions (n = 114)
Table 10 summarizes the therapeutic response to PRP according to the anatomical distribution of vitiligo lesions.
|
Anatomical Site |
n |
Mean Percentage Repigmentation ± SD |
Mean Reduction in VASI Score ± SD |
Excellent/Good Response n (%) |
p-value |
|
Face and Neck |
34 |
69.6 ± 13.5 |
5.24 ± 1.31 |
30 (88.2) |
|
|
Upper Limbs |
29 |
58.4 ± 15.2 |
4.18 ± 1.29 |
20 (69.0) |
|
|
Trunk |
16 |
54.7 ± 14.6 |
3.97 ± 1.18 |
11 (68.8) |
|
|
Lower Limbs |
20 |
47.6 ± 13.1 |
3.42 ± 1.12 |
10 (50.0) |
|
|
Acral Areas |
10 |
29.8 ± 10.5 |
2.08 ± 0.94 |
2 (20.0) |
|
|
Multiple Sites |
5 |
35.2 ± 12.4 |
2.51 ± 1.03 |
4 (80.0) |
<0.001 |
Table 11. Multivariable Regression Analysis of Factors Associated with Better Therapeutic Response Following PRP Therapy
Table 11 presents the independent predictors associated with greater percentage repigmentation after completion of PRP therapy.
|
Variable |
β Coefficient |
Standard Error |
Adjusted Odds Ratio (95% CI) |
p-value |
|
Age <30 Years |
0.31 |
0.08 |
1.74 (1.26–2.41) |
0.001 |
|
Female Gender |
0.07 |
0.06 |
1.12 (0.86–1.45) |
0.247 |
|
Disease Duration <3 Years |
0.45 |
0.07 |
2.39 (1.69–3.38) |
<0.001 |
|
Facial Lesions |
0.38 |
0.07 |
2.08 (1.49–2.92) |
<0.001 |
|
Lesion Size <15 cm² |
0.26 |
0.08 |
1.58 (1.18–2.13) |
0.003 |
|
Family History of Vitiligo |
-0.09 |
0.06 |
0.89 (0.66–1.20) |
0.361 |
Table 12. Treatment-Related Adverse Events Following PRP Therapy (n = 114)
Table 12 summarizes the adverse events observed during the treatment period.
|
Adverse Event |
Frequency (n) |
Percentage (%) |
|
Injection-site Pain |
31 |
27.2 |
|
Transient Erythema |
19 |
16.7 |
|
Mild Edema |
11 |
9.6 |
|
Ecchymosis |
8 |
7.0 |
|
Pruritus |
6 |
5.3 |
|
Localized Hyperpigmentation |
3 |
2.6 |
|
Secondary Infection |
1 |
0.9 |
|
Koebner Phenomenon |
1 |
0.9 |
|
Allergic Reaction |
0 |
0.0 |
|
Treatment Discontinuation Due to Adverse Events |
0 |
0.0 |
Tables Summary
Table 1: The study population predominantly comprised young and middle-aged adults with a mean age of 32.9 ± 11.6 years. Female participants slightly outnumbered males, and most patients had a normal body mass index, indicating a relatively homogeneous cohort suitable for evaluating the clinical efficacy of PRP therapy.
Table 2: Most participants had vitiligo for one to three years and demonstrated clinical disease stability for at least six months before enrollment. Approximately one-quarter of the participants reported a positive family history of vitiligo, while the majority had no familial predisposition.
Table 3: Facial and neck lesions were the most common sites of involvement, followed by the upper limbs and lower limbs. Acral and multisite involvement were comparatively less frequent, reflecting the clinical distribution typically observed in stable non-segmental vitiligo.
Table 4: Baseline assessment demonstrated moderate disease severity, with a mean VASI score of 7.84 ± 2.31 and a mean body surface area involvement of 8.72%. Quality of life was moderately impaired, patient satisfaction before treatment was low, and physician global assessment indicated moderate disease activity.
Table 5: Progressive and statistically significant reductions in VASI scores were observed throughout the six-month follow-up period following PRP therapy, indicating continuous clinical improvement with successive treatment sessions.
Table 6: The percentage of clinical repigmentation increased steadily during follow-up, reaching a mean of 56.8% at six months. The greatest improvement was observed after the third treatment session, suggesting cumulative therapeutic benefit with repeated PRP administration.
Table 7: More than two-thirds of participants achieved either excellent or good repigmentation by the end of follow-up, whereas only a small proportion demonstrated poor therapeutic response, supporting the overall effectiveness of PRP in stable vitiligo.
Table 8: Significant improvements were observed in Dermatology Life Quality Index scores, patient satisfaction, and Physician Global Assessment scores following treatment, indicating that clinical repigmentation translated into meaningful improvements in patient well-being and physician-assessed disease status.
Table 9: Patients with shorter disease duration demonstrated significantly greater repigmentation and larger reductions in VASI scores than those with longstanding vitiligo, indicating that earlier intervention with PRP may result in superior therapeutic outcomes.
Table 10: Therapeutic response varied according to lesion location. Facial and neck lesions exhibited the highest repigmentation rates and the greatest reduction in VASI scores, whereas acral lesions showed comparatively limited improvement, consistent with the known variability in melanocyte regenerative potential across different anatomical sites.
Table 11: Multivariable regression analysis identified younger age, shorter disease duration, facial lesion distribution, and smaller lesion size as independent predictors of better clinical response following PRP therapy. Gender and family history were not significantly associated with treatment outcome.
Table 12: PRP therapy demonstrated an excellent safety profile. Most adverse events were mild, transient, and self-limiting, with injection-site pain and transient erythema being the most frequently reported complications. No serious treatment-related adverse events or permanent sequelae were observed, confirming the favorable tolerability of PRP in the management of stable vitiligo.
DISCUSSION
The present prospective cohort study evaluated the efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the management of stable non-segmental vitiligo over a six-month follow-up period. The findings demonstrated that PRP therapy resulted in significant clinical repigmentation, progressive reduction in disease severity as measured by the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI), improvement in physician- and patient-rereported outcomes, and enhancement of dermatology-specific quality of life.[1] Furthermore, PRP exhibited an excellent safety profile, with only mild and transient adverse events observed throughout the treatment period. Younger patients, those with shorter disease duration, smaller lesions, and facial involvement achieved superior therapeutic responses, suggesting that patient selection plays an important role in optimizing treatment outcomes.[2]
Vitiligo remains one of the most therapeutically challenging pigmentary disorders because of its complex autoimmune pathogenesis, variable clinical course, and unpredictable response to conventional therapies. Although topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy remain the cornerstone of treatment, complete and sustained repigmentation is achieved in only a proportion of patients. Regenerative therapies such as PRP have therefore attracted considerable attention because of their potential to stimulate melanocyte proliferation, migration, tissue regeneration, and angiogenesis through the release of multiple autologous growth factors.[3]
One of the most important findings of the present study was the significant and progressive reduction in VASI scores throughout the follow-up period. The mean VASI score decreased from 7.84 ± 2.31 at baseline to 3.68 ± 1.84 after six months of treatment, demonstrating a statistically significant reduction in disease severity.[4] Improvement became progressively more evident after successive PRP sessions, indicating a cumulative therapeutic effect. The gradual decline in VASI scores observed in this study is consistent with the regenerative mechanism of PRP, in which repeated delivery of platelet-derived growth factors promotes melanocyte activation and sustained tissue repair rather than immediate pigment restoration.[5]
Similarly, the percentage of clinical repigmentation increased significantly during follow-up, reaching a mean repigmentation of 56.8% at six months. More than two-thirds of participants achieved either good or excellent clinical response, whereas only a small proportion demonstrated poor repigmentation.[6] These findings suggest that PRP is capable of inducing clinically meaningful pigment restoration in appropriately selected patients with stable vitiligo. Progressive improvement observed after the third treatment session further supports the recommendation that multiple treatment sessions are necessary to obtain optimal therapeutic benefit.[7]
Anatomical distribution of lesions significantly influenced treatment response. Facial and neck lesions demonstrated the greatest degree of repigmentation, whereas acral lesions exhibited comparatively limited improvement.[8] This observation is biologically plausible because facial skin possesses a greater density of hair follicles, melanocyte reservoirs, and vascular supply, facilitating melanocyte migration and regeneration following regenerative stimulation.[9] In contrast, acral skin contains relatively fewer melanocyte stem cells and demonstrates slower regenerative capacity, thereby limiting the extent of repigmentation. Recognition of these anatomical differences is important when counselling patients regarding expected treatment outcomes.[10]
Disease duration also emerged as a significant determinant of therapeutic success. Patients with vitiligo of less than three years' duration achieved substantially greater repigmentation and larger reductions in VASI scores than individuals with longstanding disease.[11] Earlier stages of vitiligo are more likely to retain viable melanocytes and follicular melanocyte stem cells capable of responding to regenerative stimuli.[12] Prolonged disease duration may result in progressive depletion of melanocyte reservoirs and irreversible structural alterations that reduce responsiveness to treatment. These findings emphasize the potential benefit of initiating regenerative therapy before extensive melanocyte loss occurs.[13]
Significant improvement in Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores was observed following PRP therapy, accompanied by marked increases in patient satisfaction and physician global assessment scores. Because vitiligo primarily affects visible areas of the body, successful repigmentation often produces psychological benefits that exceed the objective reduction in lesion size.[14,15] Restoration of pigmentation contributes to improved self-confidence, social interaction, emotional well-being, and overall treatment satisfaction. Therefore, quality-of-life assessment should remain an integral component of therapeutic outcome evaluation in patients with vitiligo.[16]
Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that younger age, shorter disease duration, facial lesion distribution, and smaller lesion size independently predicted superior clinical response.[17] These findings indicate that therapeutic efficacy is influenced not only by the biological effects of PRP but also by disease characteristics present before treatment initiation. Identification of these predictive factors may facilitate more individualized patient selection and improve counseling regarding expected treatment outcomes.[18,19]
The safety profile of PRP observed in the present study was highly favorable. Injection-site pain, transient erythema, mild edema, and occasional ecchymosis represented the most frequently encountered adverse events, all of which resolved spontaneously without requiring interruption of treatment.[20] No serious infections, allergic reactions, systemic complications, or permanent adverse effects were observed.[21] The excellent safety profile can largely be attributed to the autologous nature of PRP, which minimizes immunogenicity and eliminates the risk of disease transmission. These findings support the suitability of PRP as a minimally invasive therapeutic option for stable vitiligo.[22]
The present study possesses several strengths. Its prospective cohort design allowed standardized longitudinal assessment of clinical response over multiple treatment sessions.[23] Objective evaluation using VASI, percentage repigmentation, Physician Global Assessment, Dermatology Life Quality Index, and patient satisfaction scores provided a comprehensive assessment of treatment efficacy. Standardized PRP preparation techniques, uniform treatment protocols, and a high follow-up completion rate further strengthened the internal validity of the findings.[24,25]
Nevertheless, certain limitations should be acknowledged. The study was conducted at a single tertiary care center, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. The absence of a parallel control group or comparison with conventional therapies precludes direct assessment of the relative efficacy of PRP. The follow-up period of six months may not fully evaluate long-term durability of repigmentation or recurrence following treatment completion. Additionally, variability in lesion characteristics, skin phototype, and previous treatments may have influenced therapeutic response despite standardized eligibility criteria.
Overall, the findings of the present study demonstrate that platelet-rich plasma is an effective, safe, and well-tolerated regenerative therapy for patients with stable non-segmental vitiligo. Significant clinical repigmentation, reduction in disease severity, improvement in quality of life, and minimal treatment-related adverse effects support the incorporation of PRP into contemporary vitiligo management. Future multicenter randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes, longer follow-up periods, and direct comparison with established therapeutic modalities are warranted to establish standardized treatment protocols and further define the role of PRP in routine clinical practice.
CONCLUSION
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) demonstrated significant clinical efficacy in the management of stable non-segmental vitiligo, producing progressive repigmentation, substantial reduction in disease severity, and meaningful improvement in patient-reported and physician-assessed clinical outcomes over the six-month follow-up period. Serial administration of PRP resulted in a significant decrease in Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) scores, accompanied by a progressive increase in the percentage of clinical repigmentation, indicating sustained therapeutic benefit with repeated treatment sessions.
The study further demonstrated that PRP therapy significantly improved Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores and patient satisfaction, reflecting the positive psychosocial impact of successful repigmentation. Patients with younger age, shorter disease duration, facial lesions, and smaller lesion size exhibited superior therapeutic responses, suggesting that these clinical characteristics may serve as useful predictors of favorable treatment outcomes and assist clinicians in identifying suitable candidates for regenerative therapy.
PRP was found to be a safe and well-tolerated treatment modality. The observed adverse events were predominantly mild, transient, and self-limiting, with injection-site pain and transient erythema representing the most common complications. No serious local or systemic adverse events, permanent complications, or treatment discontinuations due to adverse effects were encountered, highlighting the excellent safety profile of autologous PRP therapy.
Based on the findings of the present study, PRP represents a promising regenerative treatment option for patients with stable vitiligo and may be considered either as a standalone therapeutic modality or as an adjunct to conventional medical and phototherapeutic interventions. The incorporation of PRP into individualized treatment protocols may enhance repigmentation outcomes while maintaining a favorable safety profile.
Further multicenter randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes, standardized PRP preparation protocols, extended follow-up durations, and direct comparison with established treatment modalities are recommended to validate these findings, determine long-term durability of repigmentation, and establish evidence-based clinical guidelines for the routine use of PRP in the management of vitiligo.
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