Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39992062›Full record

ArticleDermatology reports2025

The efficacy and safety of microneedling combined with tacrolimus

Hadeel A Maaddawi, Abdulaziz A Aljuaid, Awadh M Alamri, Dhaifallah H Alghowairi, Abdullah S Bawazeer

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Dermatology reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Hadeel A MaaddawiDepartment of Dermatology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh.
Abdulaziz A AljuaidCollege of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah; King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Jeddah.
Awadh M AlamriKing Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Jeddah; Department of Dermatology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah.ORCID 0009-0008-9874-9322
Dhaifallah H AlghowairiDermatology consultant, Ministry of Defence, Riyadh.
Abdullah S BawazeerHistopathology consultant, Ministry of Defence, Riyadh.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Tacrolimus is a topical immunomodulator that has been used successfully in treating vitiligo; however, recent studies suggested that combining tacrolimus with microneedling (Mn) can increase its efficacy. This systematic review aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Mn combined with tacrolimus to treat localized and stable nonsegmental vitiligo. We searched Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). The risk ratio (RR) was used to represent dichotomous outcomes, whereas the odds ratio (OR) was used for adverse events. Three randomized control trials (RCTs) (n=148 participants) were deemed eligible. The pooled effect estimate showed a statistically significant higher re-pigmentation rate in all assessed body areas in favor of treatment with Mn combined with tacrolimus (RR=2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51-2.70). Nonetheless, no significant difference was found between Mn combined with tacrolimus and tacrolimus monotherapy in terms of 5-grade repigmentation scale (RR=0.93, 95% CI: 0.53-1.62), histopathological assessment (RR=0.90, 95% CI: 0.47-1.75), and adverse events (OR=1.72, 95% CI: 0.10-29.36). Mn combined with tacrolimus showed a clinically and statistically substantial improvement in the re-pigmentation of vitiligo sites with acceptable tolerability and safety profile.

Identifiers

PMID39992062
PMCPMC12481489

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.