Narrow-band ultraviolet B treatment for vitiligo, pruritus, and inflammatory dermatoses.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Samson Yashar
Sharam
S
Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
Gielczyk
Robert
R
Scherschun
Lubomira
L
Lim
Henry W
HW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011537:Pruritus / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000532:radiotherapy