UVA-1 cold light therapy in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: 61 patients treated in the Leiden University Medical Center.
BACKGROUND
UVA-1 has been shown to be effective in the treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis. However, its optimal therapeutic conditions are not yet fully established.


METHODS
In an open prospective study we retrospectively compared the effect of 4 weeks therapy (32 patients) with the effect of the usual 3 weeks therapy (29 patients) in patients with atopic dermatitis, using a medium dose UVA-1 cold light (45 J/cm2), 5 days a week.


RESULTS
Scoring atopic dermatitis index (SCORAD) and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) quality of life indexes improved significantly during both 3 and 4 weeks UVA-1. Patients who were treated for 4 weeks showed a superior improvement of the SCORAD index [23.12 points, 95% confidence interval (CI) 16.09-30.16, vs. 13.32 points, 95% CI 5.61-21.04, P = 0.059], and the DLQI (5.41 points, 95% CI 2.38-7.88, vs. 3.86 points, 95% CI 1.88-5.84, P = 0.360), compared with patients who were treated for 3 weeks. However, the differences did not reach statistical significance. Only patients who were treated for 4 weeks were able to maintain their improvement 6 weeks after therapy. In both groups 50% of patients had intermittently used mild topical corticosteroids in the follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
Extension of UVA-1 therapy from 3 to 4 weeks results in a clinically relevant improvement of the outcome, and more prolonged therapeutic effects, measured by the SCORAD index.
Polderman
Marloes C A
MC
Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. M.C.A.Polderman@lumc.nl
Wintzen
Marjolein
M
le Cessie
Saskia
S
Pavel
Stan
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy