Narrow band ultraviolet B for the treatment of generalized lichen planus.
OBJECTIVE
Although various treatment options have been used in the treatment of lichen planus (LP), it is still challenging to choose the most effective one. Scarce data are available in the literature examining efficacy of NB-UV in the treatment of LP. Thus, we aimed to evaluate efficacy of NB-UVB for LP.


METHODS
Twenty-four patients with generalized LP who received NB-UVB treatments in between January 2011 and December 2014 were included in the study. Response types were classified into three groups which complete response refers to ≥90% reduction in the number of the lesions; partial response 51-89%; and no response ≤50%.


RESULTS
Sixteen patients responded to the NB-UVB treatment [5 partial (20.8%) and 11 complete (45.8%) remissions], whereas 8 patients (33.3%) did not respond to the treatment. A number of sessions and accordingly cumulative dose of UVB were significantly higher in responded group than in non-responders. When we compared these two groups according to duration of the disease, there was no significant difference.


CONCLUSIONS
Two-thirds of patients with generalized LP favorably responded to NB-UVB treatment without any remarkable adverse events. This significant response rate coupled with safety should prompt further clarification of the place of NB-UVB in generalized LP.
a Department of Dermatology , School of Medicine, Sakarya University , Sakarya , Turkey and.
Berna
B
Solak
b Department of Dermatology , Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital , Sakarya , Turkey.
Bahar
B
Sevimli Dikicier
a Department of Dermatology , School of Medicine, Sakarya University , Sakarya , Turkey and.
Teoman
T
Erdem
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy; D055815:Young Adult
Acitretin; lichen planus; narrow-band ultraviolet B; treatment efficacy