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Narrow‐band ultraviolet B treatment for vitiligo, pruritus, and inflammatory dermatoses
Author(s) -
Samson Yashar Sharam,
Gielczyk Robert,
Scherschun Lubomira,
Lim Henry W.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
photodermatology, photoimmunology and photomedicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.736
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1600-0781
pISSN - 0905-4383
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0781.2003.00039.x
Subject(s) - vitiligo , medicine , dermatology , mycosis fungoides , psoriasis , ultraviolet therapy , adverse effect , ultraviolet b , atopic dermatitis , lymphoma
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.