title: Phototherapy for sclerosing skin conditions.
abstract: Phototherapy is an effective treatment strategy for a variety of sclerosing skin conditions. There are a number of phototherapeutic modalities used for the treatment of sclerosing skin conditions, including ultraviolet (UV)A1, broadband UVA, psoralen plus UVA, and narrowband UVB phototherapy. As controlled trials with validated outcome measures are lacking for these therapies, existing evidence is largely level II for morphea and is even more minimal for scleroderma and other sclerosing disorders (scleroderma, lichen sclerosus, and chronic graft-versus-host disease, among others). Studies do suggest that phototherapy may be effective for many of these disorders, including those that have been unresponsive to other therapies. Phototherapy remains an attractive therapeutic option for patients due to its efficacy and favorable risk-versus-benefit profile. Phototherapy also offers a therapeutic alternative to systemic immunosuppressives for patients who cannot tolerate these medications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Texas at Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.
authors.forename: Noelle M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Teske
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Texas at Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. Electronic address: heidi.jacobe@utsouthwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Heidi T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Jacobe
mesh_terms: D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000528:radiation effects; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018459:Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003094:Collagen