Broadband UVB revisited: is the narrowband UVB fad limiting our therapeutic options?
Broadband ultraviolet B (BB-UVB) phototherapy has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of cutaneous disorders including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, uremic pruritus and idiopathic pruritus. In the last decade, there has been a rapidly escalating process of replacing BB-UVB phototherapy units with narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) equipment, as studies have demonstrated that NB-UVB (ranging from 311 mm to 312 nm) is more efficacious in the treatment of psoriasis. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize the efficacy of BB-UVB phototherapy in the treatment of uremic pruritus, idiopathic pruritus, eosinophilic folliculitis and other inflammatory pruritic conditions. Furthermore, as highlighted in this report, there is a small but significant proportion of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis patients who do not tolerate NB-UVB but demonstrate an excellent clinical response to BB-UVB. It is critical for dermatologists to recognize the role of BB-UVB as a complement to NB-UVB phototherapy for patients who cannot tolerate or experience an inadequate therapeutic response from NB-UVB.
Pugashetti
Rupa
R
University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA.
Lim
Henry W
HW
Koo
John
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011537:Pruritus / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*