title: Duration of remission period of narrowband ultraviolet B therapy on psoriasis vulgaris.
abstract: The remission period of psoriasis vulgaris following narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) light therapy with topical vitamin D(3) application was evaluated retrospectively to investigate the therapeutic efficacy. Fifty-two patients (60 cases) were treated with a 5-day/week protocol of NB-UVB light irradiation plus topical vitamin D ointment application for 1 month and followed up for at least 12 months. We considered re-exacerbation as the time when the patients needed treatment other than topical therapy. The remission period was defined as the duration from the end of treatment until re-exacerbation. Twenty-seven cases (56%) of psoriasis showed a remission period longer than 12 months. The patients with a past history of systemic therapy or phototherapy had a significantly shorter remission period than those without such a history. No statistically significant differences were observed in sex, age, period before treatment, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score and total irradiation dose. A previous history of systemic therapy or phototherapy may mean that the disease is severe and sufficiently active to form multiple new lesions requiring these treatments. Our results suggest that the 5-day/week NB-UVB light protocol for 4 weeks is an effective and safe treatment for psoriasis vulgaris and can induce long-term remission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karakawa
authors.forename: Mayumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Komine
authors.forename: Tomonori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takekoshi
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.forename: Yosaku
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Minatani
authors.forename: Yayoi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tada
authors.forename: Hidehisa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saeki
authors.forename: Kunihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tamaki
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; C055085:calcipotriene; D002117:Calcitriol; C051883:maxacalcitol