UVA1 phototherapy for cutaneous diseases: an experience of 92 cases in the United States.
BACKGROUND
The efficacy and safety of UVA1 (340-400 nm) phototherapy were established by studies from European countries.


OBJECTIVE
Evaluate experience with UVA1 phototherapy for patients with cutaneous diseases in the United States.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 92 cases of UVA1-treated cutaneous conditions from four medical centers in the United States was performed.


RESULTS
Two-third of the patients showed a fair to good response (26-100% improvement) and one-third of the patients showed a poor response (0-25% improvement). Diseases with a moderate to good response (51-100% improvement) included scleredema adultorum, hand or foot dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, morphea (medium or medium- to high-dose UVA1), systemic sclerosis, and urticaria pigmentosa. Besides tanning, other adverse effects were found in 15% of patients, which include pruritus, erythema, tenderness, and burning sensation. Patients with skin types I-III responded better that those with a darker skin type.


CONCLUSIONS
UVA1 phototherapy is a useful and well-tolerated treatment option for a variety of skin conditions.
Tuchinda
Chanisada
C
Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
Kerr
Holly A
HA
Taylor
Charles R
CR
Jacobe
Heidi
H
Bergamo
Bettany M
BM
Elmets
Craig
C
Rivard
Jennifer
J
Lim
Henry W
HW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012592:Scleredema Adultorum / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014582:Urticaria Pigmentosa / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy