Narrowband ultraviolet-B phototherapy in pityriasis lichenoides chronica.
BACKGROUND
Current knowledge about the efficacy of narrowband UVB therapy for the treatment of pityriasis lichenoides is limited.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of narrowband UVB therapy for the treatment of pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC).


METHODS
Data were retrospectively collected following a review of patient phototherapy and medical charts, and telephone interviews were performed for follow-up information.


RESULTS
The study included 25 patients (14 male, 11 female) with a mean age of 34 +/- 13 years. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination in 92% (n = 23) of the patients. The median duration of the disease was 24 months (range: 2-192 months). The median number of sessions until response was 25 (8 weeks) (range: 9-77 sessions), with a median cumulative dose of 15 J/cm(2) (range: 2-158 J/cm(2)). Complete response and partial response were achieved in 48% and 44% of the patients, respectively, while 8% of the patients achieved no response. In those patients for whom follow-up data were available (n = 17), 10 (58%) relapsed within a median of 9.5 months (range: 1-44 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that narrowband UVB is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for PLC.
Ersoy-Evans
Sibel
S
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. sevans@hacettepe.edu.tr
Hapa
Asli Altaykan
AA
Boztepe
Gonca
G
Sahin
Sedef
S
Kölemen
Fikret
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D017514:Pityriasis Lichenoides / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult