To compare the efficacy of oral terbinafine alone against the combination of oral terbinafine and intense pulsed light (IPL) in difficult to treat tinea patients

Abstract

Background: Dermatophytosis is a major health problem in developing countries, with their increase in resistance patterns toward various antifungals being the main reason for concern. Aim: To compare the efficacy of oral terbinafine alone against the combination of oral terbinafine and intense pulsed light (IPL) in difficult-to-treat patients with tinea. Materials and Methods: Patients were divided into two groups, A and B. Group A was given oral terbinafine mg twice a day for two months. Group B was given oral terbinafine mg twice a day and IPL once every 15 days for a total of two months. Patients were assessed every 15 days till two months and every one month for three months after the completion of treatment for any recurrences. Results: Among group A, out of 40 patients, 32 patients showed complete cure while only 8 showed a partial cure. Among group B, out of 40 patients, 28 patients showed complete cure while 12 showed a partial cure. Recurrence among group A was 9 patients at the end of 5 months while it was 11 in group B. Conclusion: Even though there is no statistically significant difference between the cure rate of both the groups, terbinafine alone is found to be superior clinically.

Keywords

• intense pulsed light (ipl)
• terbinafine
• tinea