Narrowband UVB phototherapy in pityriasis rosea.
OBJECTIVE
Pityriasis rosea (PR) is an acute self-limiting disease. Despite vigorous efforts by generations of researchers since nearly 150 years, present treatment modalities for PR are not very gratifying. Ultraviolet radiation has been recommended in PR, although only a few studies validate this proposal. This study was conducted to explore the therapeutic effect of NBUVB on the symptoms, course, and severity of PR.


METHODS
This study involved a hundred patients who were randomly divided into two groups, using computer-generated randomization chart. Group A underwent treatment with fixed dose NBUVB of 250 mJ/cm(2) three times (nonconsecutive) a week for 4 weeks. Group B formed the placebo group who did not receive any treatment. The two groups were compared with each other for the intensity of pruritis, course and duration of disease, and PR severity score (PRSS).


RESULTS
The t values of improvement in PRSS score in Group A (t = 12.796) were higher as compared with that in Group B (t = 10.066). Similarly, the t value of the pruritus scale in Group A (t = 7.758) was higher than Group B (t = 5.754) indicating the symptomatic improvement in itching.


CONCLUSIONS
Fixed-dose NBUVB phototherapy resulted in marked improvement in the severity and symptoms of the disease as quantitatively assessed by PRSS.
Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy, Dr. BR Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Vijayeeta
V
Jairath
Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy, Dr. BR Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Madan
M
Mohan
Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India.
Nidhi
N
Jindal
Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy, Dr. BR Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Paritosh
P
Gogna
Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy, Dr. BR Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Clarify
C
Syrty
Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy, Dr. BR Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Priyadarshini Mookalamada
PM
Monnappa
Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India.
Sarabjit
S
Kaur
Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India.
Manu
M
Sehrawat
Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy; PR severity score; pityriasis rosea