UV-light therapies in atopic dermatitis.

106 patients from Northern Norway were given phototherapy for atopic dermatitis with ultraviolet B (UVB) (group B) or in combination with ultraviolet A (UVA), designated UVAB (group AB). Of the 52 patients in group B, 44 (84%) were cured after 23 treatments whereas 51 (94%) of the 54 patients in group AB were cured after 18 treatments. This difference is statistically significant (P less than 0.01). Of the remaining 11 patients, 6 in group B and 2 in group AB improved, and only 2 in group B and 1 in group AB were unaffected, by this treatment. In group B, 30 of the 44 healed patients had relapsed 3 months after the 1st treatment, compared to 27 of 51 patients in group AB. 3 months after a 2nd treatment, 36 (69%) of the patients in group B were still in remission compared to 51 (94%) in group AB. No side-effects were observed. The results indicate that, in the area of Norway where even the summer sunlight is scarce, UVAB and, to some extent UVB light are effective treatments for atopic dermatitis.