Abstract: Objective: To assess the efficacy and side effects of corticosteroid in the treatment of patients with progressive vitiligo. Methods: One hundred and eighty-five patients with progressive vitiligo (VIDA score of 4 and lesions area>1% body surface?area) were treated with methylprednisolone, 0.48 mg/kg a day for 3 days, and followed by 0.24 mg/kg·d for the rest 27 days of the month. The dosage was decreased to 0.12 mg/kg·d during the second month and 0.06 mg/kg·d during the third month. One hundred and seven patients (VIDA score of 3 or 4 and lesions area<1% body surface area) were treated with compound betamethasone injection, 1.0 mL once a month in adult and 0.015 mL/kg in children for 3 times. Results: The effective rates in the methylprednisolone group and compound betamethasone group were 93.0% and 82.3% respectively, with a significant difference (P＜0.05). The rates of side effects were 82.7% and 62.6% respectively (P＜0.05). Conclusion: Compared to compound betamethasone group the regimen of methylprednisolone treatment is more effective but more side effects.

Key words: corticosteroid, side effect, progressive, vitiligo