BACKGROUND: Narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy is considered an accepted therapy for vitiligo. OBJECTIVE: We sought to estimate the effectiveness of NB-UVB in patients with vitiligo, identify predictive factors of response, and assess the stability of NB-UVB-induced repigmentation. METHODS: In all, 70 patients with vitiligo were treated twice weekly with NB-UVB. RESULTS: Cosmetically acceptable (>75%) repigmentation was achieved in 34.4% of patients with lesions on the face and in 7.4% of patients with lesions on the body. Patients with phototypes III to V had a greater chance to achieve greater than 75% repigmentation on the face. Patients who responded in the first month of treatment were more likely to achieve better repigmentation rates. Repigmentation was stable in 14.3% of patients 4 years after cessation of treatment. LIMITATIONS: The study was uncontrolled. Treatment frequency was twice weekly. These results may not be representative of different treatment regimens. CONCLUSION: Patients with vitiligo who have lesions on the face, darker phototypes, and early response to treatment have a greater chance to achieve satisfactory repigmentation after NB-UVB phototherapy.
BACKGROUND: Narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy is considered an accepted therapy for vitiligo. OBJECTIVE: We sought to estimate the effectiveness of NB-UVB in patients with vitiligo, identify predictive factors of response, and assess the stability of NB-UVB-induced repigmentation. METHODS: In all, 70 patients with vitiligo were treated twice weekly with NB-UVB. RESULTS: Cosmetically acceptable (>75%) repigmentation was achieved in 34.4% of patients with lesions on the face and in 7.4% of patients with lesions on the body. Patients with phototypes III to V had a greater chance to achieve greater than 75% repigmentation on the face. Patients who responded in the first month of treatment were more likely to achieve better repigmentation rates. Repigmentation was stable in 14.3% of patients 4 years after cessation of treatment. LIMITATIONS: The study was uncontrolled. Treatment frequency was twice weekly. These results may not be representative of different treatment regimens. CONCLUSION:Patients with vitiligo who have lesions on the face, darker phototypes, and early response to treatment have a greater chance to achieve satisfactory repigmentation after NB-UVB phototherapy.
Authors: Jung Min Bae; Han Mi Jung; Bo Young Hong; Joo Hee Lee; Won Joon Choi; Ji Hae Lee; Gyong Moon Kim Journal: JAMA Dermatol Date: 2017-07-01 Impact factor: 10.282