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NB-UVB treatment for vitiligo, pruritus and dermatoses.

PostPosted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 11:20 pm
by Nick Balgowan
Narrow-band ultraviolet B treatment for vitiligo, pruritus, and inflammatory dermatoses. Samson Yashar S. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine [Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed], 2003 Aug; Vol. 19 (4), pp. 164-8; PMID: 12925186

BACKGROUND: Narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) therapy has been used successfully for the treatment of inflammatory and pigmentary skin disorders including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, mycosis fungoides, polymorphous light eruption, and vitiligo. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of the treatment outcomes of 117 consecutive patients with vitiligo, pruritus, and other inflammatory dermatoses, excluding those with psoriasis and CTCL, who were treated with NB-UVB between 1998 and 2001 at our institution. RESULTS: Approximately 80% of all patients showed improvement in their condition. NB-UVB phototherapy was well tolerated, with no serious adverse effects. In patients with vitiligo, 6.4% had an abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone level and 6.5% had anemia.

CONCLUSION: NB-UVB may be considered as a viable therapeutic option in the treatment of vitiligo, pruritus, and other inflammatory dermatoses. Long-term adverse effects and cost-benefit analysis of NB-UVB therapy compared to other treatment modalities remain to be determined.