[Comparison of the minimal erythema dose for narrowband UV-B and broad spectrum UV-B using a new UV hand-held device].
BACKGROUND
Phototherapy requires an individually adapted therapeutic regime that is based upon the minimal erythema dose for each patient. Whereas this is well established for UV-B broadband, so far no standardized equipment existed that allowed for determination of the MED for UV-B 311 nm narrowband irradiation. Thus, the starting dose for UV-B 311 nm is usually adjusted to the clinical skin type or the MED for broad-spectrum UV-B irradiation.


METHODS
We determined the MED for UV-B 311 nm in a cohort of 110 healthy test persons with a newly constructed hand-held UV-light source and compared it to UV-B broadband MED.


RESULTS
For UV-B broadband, the MEDs ranged from 46.2 to 210.9 mJ/cm(2) with an average value of 108.45 mJ/cm(2). For the MED of narrowband UV-B 311 nm, the values ranged from 300.9 to 1.386.0 mJ/cm(2) with an average value of 838.88 mJ/cm(2). Concerning the factor of the MED UV-B broad-spectrum related to MED UV-B 311 nm narrowband, values from 4.01 to 13.68 with a average value of 7.91 resulted. No significant differences could be detected for the MED of UV-B broad-spectrum and narrowband in correlation to age, sex or clinical skin type.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data emphasize the presence of extensive inter-individual differences in the MED of both UV-B-spectra and point to the necessity to test patients before the first irradiation.
Lehnen
M
M
Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen.
Koppermann
M
M
Korber
A
A
Grabbe
S
S
Dissemond
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods