title: Critical evaluation of the variants influencing the clinical response of vitiligo: study of 60 cases treated with ultraviolet B narrow-band phototherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The treatment of vitiligo is still a challenge, but ultraviolet B narrow-band (UVB-NB) therapy has been recently reported to be an effective and safe therapeutic option in patients with vitiligo.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is a critical evaluation of the variants (body sites, age, duration of the disease, and duration of the therapy) influencing the clinical response to UVB-NB therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients (23 male and 37 female), aged 6 to 70 years, with vitiligo, were treated with UVB-NB therapy over a maximum period of 2 years. The evaluation of the percentage of repigmentation was done through photographs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The lesions located on the face obtained a complete repigmentation in 68% of the patients, on the neck in 57.89%, and on the trunk in 50% within the first year of the therapy. In young patients vs. adults patients, the lesions located on the neck obtained a complete repigmentation in 83.33% vs. 46.15%, on the upper limbs in 28.57% vs. 9.52%, and on the lower limbs in 25% vs. 16.67%. In patients with vitiligo of recent onset, the lesions located on the neck obtained a complete repigmentation in 83.33%, on the upper limbs in 33.33%, and on the lower limbs in 28.57%. Hands did not give a positive response in either groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that certain body sites respond better than others to the UVB-NB therapy; patients, aged less than 20 years, with recent vitiligo, achieve more repigmentation; the duration of the therapy can influence the response of the lesions over hands and lower limbs, showing only mild repigmentation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human and Hereditary Pathology, Institute of Dermatology, University of Pavia, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy. vbrazzelli@libero.it
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Brazzelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Antoninetti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palazzini
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Barbagallo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Silvestri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Borroni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000528:radiation effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000532:radiotherapy*