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Photo(chemo)therapy in the management of atopic dermatitis: an updated systematic review with implications for practice and research
Author(s) -
Garritsen F.M.,
Brouwer M.W.D.,
Limpens J.,
Spuls Ph. I.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.12645
Subject(s) - medicine , medline , randomized controlled trial , atopic dermatitis , systematic review , clinical trial , dermatology , ultraviolet therapy , meta analysis , psoriasis , political science , law
Summary Background Photo(chemo)therapy is a common treatment modality in patients with atopic dermatitis ( AD ), but evidence on its effectiveness has not been recently systematically reviewed. Objectives To evaluate the effect of treatment with photo(chemo)therapy in patients with AD and to make treatment recommendations on basis of the evidence. Methods We performed an electronic literature search in MEDLINE ( OVID ), EMBASE ( OVID ), the C ochrane C entral R egister of C ontrolled T rials ( CENTRAL ), Global R esource of E czem A T rials ( GREAT ) and prospective trial registers, complemented with a search of P ub M ed to find recent studies not yet available in OVID MEDLINE. All randomized controlled trials ( RCT s) on phototherapy for the treatment of AD were considered for data extraction. Results Nineteen studies were included (905 participants). The identified RCT s were generally clinically and qualitatively heterogeneous. Therefore a formal meta‐analysis was not feasible. Conclusions must be drawn carefully because of small sample sizes, varying study quality and sometimes the absence of direct comparisons, but on the basis of the included evidence, ultraviolet ( UV ) A 1 and narrowband ( NB )‐ UVB appeared the most effective treatment modalities for the reduction of clinical signs and symptoms. No difference between high‐dose UVA 1 and medium‐dose UVA 1 was seen. UVAB was shown to be more effective than UVA and broadband‐ UVB for the improvement of clinical symptoms, but not compared with UVA 1. Other effective treatment options include full‐spectrum light, psoralen plus UVA and balneophototherapy. No serious side‐effects were reported. Conclusions Phototherapy can be a valid therapeutic option for patients with AD . Based on the results of this review, preference is given to UVA 1 and NB ‐ UVB . Further well‐designed, adequately powered RCT s are required.