Does narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy work in atopic dermatitis through a local or a systemic effect?
The likely mechanisms of action of narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) in atopic dermatitis are several. We attempted, in a 12 patient prospective intraindividually controlled study, to determine whether the effect of NB-UVB in atopic dermatitis is primarily through systemic or local effects. Change in observer-assessed severity of patches of dermatitis covered during each whole-body NB-UVB treatment was compared with change in uncovered neighbouring patches. We found great variation between patients in responses. Only in two (of 12) patients was there a large difference between directly exposed and covered patch dermatitis severity. We suspect that the balance of local and systemic effects important in determining response to NB-UVB in atopic dermatitis varies from patient to patient. This study did not conclusively answer our original question, but did show that in some patients localized effects of NB-UVB are important.
Yule
S
S
Department of Dermatology, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee, Scotland, UK.
Dawe
R S
RS
Cameron
H
H
Ferguson
J
J
Ibbotson
S H
SH
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods