title: Effects of intense pulsed light in microstomia in patients with systemic sclerosis: A pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effects of intense pulsed light (IPL) on collagen structures are well known in the treatment of photodamaged skin.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of IPL on sclerotic skin by treating patients with microstomia due to systemic sclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  13 patients all with microstomia and systemic sclerosis were treated with IPL, PR (530-750 nm filter) and/or VL (555-950 nm filter) applicator. They were treated in the perioral area 8 times with 3-4 weeks of interval and follow-up for 6 months. The outcomes were the inter-incisal distance and the inter-ridge distance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant increase in mouth opening of 4.1 mm (95% confidence interval, 1726-6638, p < 0.005) was found in the inter-ridge distance when comparing the distance before treatment with the distance at six-month follow-up. No significant difference was found in the inter-incisal distance. The patients experienced improved mobility and better control of lip movements after the treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IPL can improve the inter-ridge distance between the lips in patients with microstomia due to systemic sclerosis but does not affect the inter-incisal distance, which is also dependent on the mobility of the mandibular joints. This treatment can be considered an adjunctive therapy in patients with microstomia due to systemic sclerosis.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology and Venerology , Skåne University Hospital , Malmö , Sweden.
authors.forename: Lisbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rosholm Comstedt
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology and Venerology , Skåne University Hospital , Malmö , Sweden.
authors.forename: Åke
authors.initials: Å
authors.lastname: Svensson
authors.affiliation: b Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Rheumatology , Lund University, Skåne University Hospital , Lund , Sweden.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hesselstrand
authors.affiliation: c Vascular Center, Skåne University Hospital , Malmö , Sweden.
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lehti
authors.affiliation: d Department of Dermatology and Venerology , Section of Laser & Vascular Anomaly, Skåne University Hospital , Malmö , Sweden.
authors.forename: Agneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Troilius Rubin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D062325:Intense Pulsed Light Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008046:Lip / Q000503:physiopathology; D008865:Microstomia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000528:radiation effects; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Lasers and light sources; PDT; botulinum toxins