Photoadaptation of vitiliginous skin to targeted ultraviolet B phototherapy.
BACKGROUND
Increasing doses of ultraviolet (UV) radiation are tolerated in patients with vitiligo, due to photoadaptation. In this pilot study, five patients with Fitzpatrick skin phototypes IV-VI with vitiligo received six treatments of targeted UVB phototherapy over a 3-week period.


METHODS
To investigate photoadaptation, minimal erythema dose (MED) testing was conducted on treated and untreated vitiliginous and normal skin at baseline and after three and six treatments. One patient had unattainable MED values, and was hence excluded.


RESULTS
Percent change in MED from before to after all treatments in vitiliginous skin ranged from 0% to 128%, with a mean of 48.8%.


CONCLUSIONS
The pilot phase of this study suggests possible photoadaptation of vitiliginous skin of some patients to targeted UVB phototherapy.
Rivard
Jennifer
J
Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
Hexsel
Camile
C
Owen
Michael
M
Strickland
Faith M
FM
Lim
Henry W
HW
Hamzavi
Iltefat
I
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy