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Duration of remission period of narrowband ultraviolet B therapy on psoriasis vulgaris
Author(s) -
KARAKAWA Masaru,
KOMINE Mayumi,
TAKEKOSHI Tomonori,
SAKURAI Naoki,
MINATANI Yosaku,
TADA Yayoi,
SAEKI Hidehisa,
TAMAKI Kunihiko
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1346-8138
pISSN - 0385-2407
DOI - 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2010.01053.x
Subject(s) - psoriasis , medicine , exacerbation , dermatology , ultraviolet therapy , vitamin d and neurology , psoriasis area and severity index , calcipotriol , ultraviolet b , therapeutic effect
The remission period of psoriasis vulgaris following narrowband ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) light therapy with topical vitamin D 3 application was evaluated retrospectively to investigate the therapeutic efficacy. Fifty‐two patients (60 cases) were treated with a 5‐day/week protocol of NB‐UVB light irradiation plus topical vitamin D ointment application for 1 month and followed up for at least 12 months. We considered re‐exacerbation as the time when the patients needed treatment other than topical therapy. The remission period was defined as the duration from the end of treatment until re‐exacerbation. Twenty‐seven cases (56%) of psoriasis showed a remission period longer than 12 months. The patients with a past history of systemic therapy or phototherapy had a significantly shorter remission period than those without such a history. No statistically significant differences were observed in sex, age, period before treatment, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score and total irradiation dose. A previous history of systemic therapy or phototherapy may mean that the disease is severe and sufficiently active to form multiple new lesions requiring these treatments. Our results suggest that the 5‐day/week NB‐UVB light protocol for 4 weeks is an effective and safe treatment for psoriasis vulgaris and can induce long‐term remission.