title: Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy for patients with refractory uraemic pruritus: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pruritus is very common in uraemic patients, but the treatment remains challenging. Studies regarding narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy for uraemic pruritus are rare.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether or not NB-UVB phototherapy is an effective treatment for uraemic pruritus.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial for patients with refractory uraemic pruritus. The treatment group received NB-UVB phototherapy three times per week for 6 weeks. The dose of NB-UVB started from 210 mJ cm(-2) and was increased by 10% each time. The control group received time-matched exposures to long-wave UVA radiation. A visual analogue scale (VAS) score was evaluated weekly for pruritus intensity for 12 weeks. The characteristics of pruritus were also assessed by a questionnaire at baseline and after 6 weeks of phototherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both the NB-UVB and control groups had significant and comparable improvement in the pruritus intensity VAS scores during the period of phototherapy and follow-up. Compared with the control group, the NB-UVB group showed a significant improvement in the involved body surface area affected by pruritus (P = 0·006), but not in sleep quality. More detailed regression and estimating analysis revealed that the patients in the NB-UVB group had lower pruritus intensity scores at week 6, week 10 and week 12. This may indicate a beneficial difference at certain time points, but the effect seems marginal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NB-UVB phototherapy does not show a significant effect in reducing pruritus intensity compared with a control group for refractory uraemic pruritus. Further studies are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Ren-ai Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: M-J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: J-Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: H-Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: F-C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: S-I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: P-J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: S-H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jee
authors.forename: H-C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chiu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011537:Pruritus / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D014511:Uremia / Q000150:complications*