Critical evaluation of the variants influencing the clinical response of vitiligo: study of 60 cases treated with ultraviolet B narrow-band phototherapy.
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.
Brazzelli
V
V
Department of Human and Hereditary Pathology, Institute of Dermatology, University of Pavia, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy. vbrazzelli@libero.it
Antoninetti
M
M
Palazzini
S
S
Barbagallo
T
T
De Silvestri
A
A
Borroni
G
G
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*