Comparison of the therapeutic effects of narrow band UVB vs. PUVA in patients with pityriasis lichenoides.
OBJECTIVE
Pityriasis lichenoides (PL) is a self-limiting papulosquamous skin disorder with chronic course. Best therapeutic options are yet to be defined. Phototherapy is one of the most prevalent treatments and the aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic effects of the two main phototherapy options: psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) and narrow band UVB (NB-UVB).


METHODS
Patients with PLC based on clinical findings and pathology, involving at least 60% of total body surface, were enrolled if they were not pregnant, lactating women and had not contraindication for phototherapy. Based on simple randomization, they received either PUVA or NB-UVB, and patients' responses were recorded.


RESULTS
A total of 15 patients including eight males (53%) and seven females (47%) were enrolled in the study and were randomized into groups A and B, each including four patients. In group A, seven patients had complete response (87.5%) and one patient had partial response (12.5%). Among patients in group B, five patients had complete response (71.4%) and two patients (28.6%) had partial response (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
As the difference between the two groups is insignificant, it seems that both options are acceptable for treating this disorder.
Department of Dermatology, Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
F
F
Farnaghi
H
H
Seirafi
A H
AH
Ehsani
M-E
ME
Agdari
P
P
Noormohammadpour
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011701:PUVA Therapy; D017514:Pityriasis Lichenoides / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D055815:Young Adult