title: BB-UVA vs. NB-UVB in the treatment of vitiligo: a randomized controlled clinical study (single blinded).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder that affects between 1% and 2% of the general population. Phototherapy remains the cornerstone of treatment, with NB-UVB being the most frequently used. BB-UVA can be a plausible alternative for darker population; skin photo type III and IV.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a prospective, randomized, controlled, and single-blinded clinical trial, conducted on 40 patients with bilateral symmetrical vitiligo. The patients were randomly divided into two equal groups; group (A) received a fixed dose of 15 J/cm(2) BB-UVA, while group (B) received NB-UVB. The study was conducted for a period of 16 weeks (48 sessions).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The final percentage of clinical improvement was significantly higher (P = 0.047) within the BB-UVA group (63.82% ± 27.42), than within the NB-UVB group (44.32% ± 29.78).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BB-UVA can be considered as an alternative treatment line for vitiligo.
authors.affiliation: Phototherapy Unit Kasr El-Aini, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Medhat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Mofty
authors.forename: Wedad
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mostafa
authors.forename: Randa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Youssef
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Fangary
authors.forename: Amany
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El-Ramly
authors.forename: Doaa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mahgoub
authors.forename: Marwa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fawzy
authors.forename: Marwa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Hawary
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*
keywords: BB-UVA; NB-UVA; vitiligo