Phototherapy in atopic dermatitis: a systematic review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Phototherapy is a treatment option for atopic dermatitis recommended by several guidelines.


OBJECTIVE
To perform a systematic review of the efficacy of different modalities of phototherapy and photochemotherapy in moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.


METHODS
We considered all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) performed in patients with atopic dermatitis, and accepted all outcome measures. Articles were identified via an online search of the MEDLINE (via Ovid) and Embase databases and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. We also searched for clinical trials registered in Current Controlled Trials and in the World Health Organization's International Clinical Trials Registry Platform.


RESULTS
Twenty-one RCTs (961 patients) were included in the qualitative analysis. Two of the trials included children and adolescents (32 patients). The efficacy of narrow-band UV-B and UV-A1 phototherapy was similar for the different outcome measures contemplated. Two RCTs assessed the efficacy of psoralen plus UV-A therapy (PUVA). No serious adverse events were described. In general, the publications reviewed were characterized by a high risk of bias and poor reporting of methodology and results.


CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence for the use of narrow-band UV-B and UV-A1 phototherapy in moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Evidence supporting the use of PUVA in atopic dermatitis is scarce and there is little information on the use of phototherapy in childhood. For the purpose of future studies, it would be advisable to use comparable criteria and scales for the evaluation of disease severity and patients, to standardize radiation methods, and to establish a minimum follow-up time.
Dermatología, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, España. Electronic address: perez_ampferr@gva.es.
A
A
Pérez-Ferriols
Unidad de Investigación, Fundación Academia Española de Dermatología y Venereología, Madrid, España.
B
B
Aranegui
Dermatología, Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII, Tarragona, España.
J A
JA
Pujol-Montcusí
Escuela de Doctorado, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Dermatología, Clínica Ruber, Madrid, España.
A
A
Martín-Gorgojo
Dermatología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España.
M
M
Campos-Domínguez
Dermatología, Hospital Universitario la Paz, Madrid, España.
R A
RA
Feltes
Dermatología, Hospital San Jorge, Huesca, España.
Y
Y
Gilaberte
Dermatología, Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Madrid, España.
B
B
Echeverría-García
Hospital Star Médica Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, México.
A
A
Alvarez-Pérez
Unidad de Investigación, Fundación Academia Española de Dermatología y Venereología, Madrid, España.
I
I
García-Doval
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011701:PUVA Therapy; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy
Atopic dermatitis; Dermatitis atópica; Fotoquimioterapia; Fototerapia; Photochemotherapy: Systematic review; Phototherapy; Psoralen+ultraviolet A; Psoraleno + terapia ultravioleta A; Revisión sistemática