title: Narrow-band UVB phototherapy of nasal polyps: results of a pilot study.
abstract: Nasal polyposis (NP) is characterized by high recurrence rate despite medical and/or surgical treatment. The major mechanism of action of ultraviolet B light (UVB) is induction of apoptosis in inflammatory cells. Therefore phototherapy may represent a new therapeutic approach in NP. A pilot feasibility study was performed to assess the tolerability and clinical efficacy of UVB phototherapy in NP. Thirteen subjects with bilateral grade 1-3 NP were enrolled in an open-labeled prospective pilot study. Patients were exposed to gradually increasing doses of UVB light over a 12 week period (3 exposures/week). Subjects rated their nasal obstruction symptom scores weekly on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 6. The NOSE quality of life questionnaire was used at baseline and end of treatment period. Adverse events were monitored by endoscopy. Ten subjects completed the study. Nasal obstruction symptom scores and quality of life (NOSE) improved at end of treatment compared to baseline. Treatments were well tolerated and no device related adverse events were reported. The results suggest that phototherapy may represent a potential new treatment option in nasal polyps.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Szeged, Hungary.
authors.forename: Zsolt
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bella
authors.forename: Edit
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kadocsa
authors.forename: Lajos
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kemény
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koreck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy