In search of an optimum dose escalation for narrowband UVB phototherapy: is it time to quit 20% increments?
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to compare 20% with 10% to 5% incremental regimens in narrowband UVB phototherapy.


METHODS
The study included patients with psoriasis (N = 191) with Fitzpatrick skin phototypes II and III.


RESULTS
Occurrence of erythema as well as maximum and cumulative doses were higher with 20% escalations, whereas response rates and time to response did not significantly differ.


CONCLUSIONS
The study was limited by its retrospective nature.


CONCLUSIONS
A 5% or 10% incremental regimen may have similar therapeutic efficacy.
Boztepe
Gonca
G
Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Sihhiye, 06100, Ankara, Turkey. gboztepe@hacettepe.edu.tr
Akinci
Hande
H
Sahin
Sedef
S
Karaduman
Aysen
A
Evans
Sibel Ersoy
SE
Erkin
Gül
G
Atakan
Nilgün
N
Akan
Tülin
T
Kölemen
Fikret
F
D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays