Ultraviolet-A1 phototherapy in Asian skin: A review of 159 cases in Singapore.

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet-A1 phototherapy has been used to treat many inflammatory dermatoses. AIMS: To determine the efficacy and safety of ultraviolet-A1 phototherapy in Asian skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a review of records of patients undergoing ultraviolet-A1 phototherapy at our dermatology unit in Singapore from January 2007 to January 2011. Their electronic medical records were reviewed and a standardized questionnaire was filled up for data collection and tabulation. Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used to compare the difference in response between various groups for each characteristic. P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Our study comprised of 159 patients, of which 103 were patients with hand and foot eczema, 21 with atopic dermatitis, 17 with scleroderma and the remaining with miscellaneous dermatoses. Of these patients, 47.6% of patients with hand and feet eczema had good response after 10 sessions, which increased to 75% after 20 sessions and to 84.6% after 30 sessions. After 10 sessions, 47.6% of patients with atopic dermatitis had good response, which increased to 66.7% after 20 sessions. After 30 sessions, all the three remaining patients with atopic dermatitis experienced good response. For patients with scleroderma, only 11.8 and 10% had good response after 10 and 20 sessions, respectively, which increased to 40% after 30 sessions. LIMITATIONS: Limitations of our study include its retrospective design and, consequently, the lack of standardized treatment protocol, as well as subjective assessment in terms of clinical improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Ultraviolet-A1 phototherapy appears to be efficacious for the treatment of hand and foot eczema as well as atopic dermatitis. However, in patients with scleroderma, the response was partial and needed a longer duration of treatment.

Retrospective study on the characteristics and treatment of late-onset vitiligo.

BACKGROUND: Late-onset vitiligo, defined as being aged 50 years and above at the point of clinical onset, remains poorly characterized till now. AIM: This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics and treatment response of patients with late-onset vitiligo. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the case records of all patients diagnosed with late-onset vitiligo, from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014. Information obtained included patient demographics, characteristics of vitiligo and treatment responses. RESULTS: Of the 3128 patients diagnosed with vitiligo over the 5-year period, 461 (14.7%) had late-onset disease. The study had more females (n = 260, 56.4%) than males, with an average onset age of 59.4 ± 7.4 years. Majority of patients were Chinese (n = 308, 66.8%) and 45 (9.8%) patients had an associated autoimmune disease. Focal vitiligo, defined as the localized presence of depigmented patches, was most common (n = 209, 45.3%). Treatment response was evaluated in 359 patients, of which 216 received monotherapy (topical creams: n = 210, 97.2%; phototherapy: n = 6, 2.8%) and 143 received both modalities. Fifty six (15.6%) patients received oral steroids. Patients who were treated with both topical creams and phototherapy yielded better clinical responses compared to those on monotherapy (P < 0.001) with 56.6% (n = 81) of them achieving good epidermal repigmentation, defined as >50% return of pigmentation compared to baseline (vs. n = 66, 30.6% in the monotherapy group). The choice of phototherapy (targeted, narrowband ultraviolet B or psoralen + ultraviolet A) did not significantly affect clinical response (P = 0.774). LIMITATIONS: This study is limited by its retrospective nature, the nonstandardized documentation resulting in the inability to determine disease progression and associated metabolic comorbidities and also by the gradual loss to follow-up of patients. CONCLUSION: Late-onset vitiligo is not uncommon and tends to be of the focal vitiligo subtype. Nonsegmented vitiligo is more prevalent than segmental vitiligo. Combination therapy with topical medications and phototherapy is superior to monotherapy.

Ultraviolet A1 phototherapy: One center's experience.

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet A1(UVA1) phototherapy is increasingly being used in the treatment of morphea, atopic dermatitis, lupus and some other recalcitrant dermatoses. We present a retrospective review of our experience with this modality. AIM: To evaluate the treatment response rates for various dermatoses and adverse effects of UVA1 phototherapy. METHODS: We reviewed phototherapy notes along with electronic and/or paper case records for all patients treated with UVA1 phototherapy from October 1996 to December 2008. RESULTS: A total of 269 patients (outcomes available for 247) had 361 treatment courses (treatment data available for 317 courses) over this period. We found phototherapy to be beneficial in 28 (53%) of 53 patients with atopic dermatitis and 19 (51%) of 37 patients with morphea. A beneficial outcome was recorded in all six (100%) cases of urticaria and six (85.7%) of seven patients treated for a polymorphic light eruption. Benefit was also recorded in systemic lupus erythematosus (8 (44.4%) of 18), lichen sclerosus (6 (42.9%) of 14), mastocytosis (2 (33.3%) of 6), necrobiosis lipoidica (4 (30.8%) of 13), granuloma annulare (2 (25%) of 8), scleroderma (2 (22.2%) of 9) and keloids (1 (7.7%) of 13). Overall, treatment was well tolerated with no patients having to stop treatment due to adverse effects. LIMITATIONS: This is a retrospective study with no control group. Subjective/recall bias is quite possible as a number of patients were followed up over the phone. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that ultraviolet A1 can be considered for the treatment of selected dermatoses. However, long-term malignancy risk is as yet unknown.

Targeted phototherapy.

BACKGROUND: Targeted phototherapy is a new form of phototherapy which has many advantages and disadvantages over conventional phototherapy. This article reviews the different technologies and outlines recommendations based on current evidence. METHODS: A literature search was performed on targeted phototherapy to collect data. Relevant literature published till March 2014 was obtained from PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Keywords like "targeted phototherapy", "excimer laser", "excimer lamp", "Nonchromatic ultraviolet light", "vitiligo", and "psoriasis", were used for literature search. All systematic reviews, meta-analysis, national guidelines, randomized controlled trials (RCT), prospective open label studies and retrospective case series in English were reviewed. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty studies were evaluated, 24 of which fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in the guidelines. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: All forms of targeted phototherapy are useful in vitiligo. Good responses were seen in localized involvement, resistant lesions and in children in whom their use is more accepted and convenient (Level of evidence 2+, Grade of recommendation B). Similarly it is useful in psoriasis, either alone or in combination with drugs, even in resistant forms such as palmoplantar psoriasis. In view of expense and practical application, their use is limited to resistant lesions and localized disease. (Level of evidence 2+, Grade of recommendation B). But in other conditions there is no convincing evidence for its use. (Level of evidence 3+, Grade of recommendation C).

Targeted ultraviolet B phototherapy in vitiligo: A comparison between once-weekly and twice-weekly treatment regimens.

BACKGROUND: Targeted ultraviolet B (T-UVB) phototherapy in vitiligo is usually administered twice or thrice a week on non-consecutive days. It is difficult for many patients to adhere to this regimen, forcing them to discontinue treatment. AIM: The study aimed to compare the efficacy of twice-weekly and once-weekly targeted ultraviolet B phototherapy regimens in vitiligo. METHODS: Sixty patients with non-segmental vitiligo on the face, neck or trunk were divided into two groups of 30 patients each. The patients in group A received targeted ultraviolet B twice weekly, while those in group B received targeted ultraviolet B once weekly. Repigmentation was monitored and graded as excellent (≥75% repigmentation), good (50-74% repigmentation) and poor (<50% repigmentation). The extent of repigmentation at each body site (primary outcome measure), the number of doses required for initiation of pigmentation, and the cumulative dose of targeted ultraviolet B administered was calculated and compared between both groups. RESULTS: A total of 90 lesions (48 in the twice weeklygroup and 42 in the once weekly group) were treated on the face, neck and trunk. Excellent results were obtained in 62.5% (30/48) of lesions treated twice weekly, and 64.3% (27/42) in lesions treated once weekly. The mean number of doses required for initiation of pigmentation was 4.69 in the twice weekly group, and 4.35 in the once weekly group. The patients in the twice weekly group received a mean cumulative dose of 8.26 J/cm 2, while the once weekly group received 7.69 J/cm2. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups with respect to the outcome, with respect to the total repigmentation, the number of doses till onset of pigmentation, as well as the cumulative dose of targeted UVB. CONCLUSION: Once-weekly targeted ultraviolet B phototherapy appears to be as efficacious as the twice-weekly regimen in vitiligo.

Narrow band ultraviolet-B versus Goeckerman therapy for psoriasis with and without acitretin: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Narrow band ultraviolet-B (NB-UVB) is now one of the most widely used modalities in the treatment of psoriasis. However, despite its high efficacy, conventional Goeckerman treatment has fallen out of favor in recent years and some institutions are now using NBUVB with coal tar as their regimen. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of NB-UVB, Goeckerman therapy and the effect of addition of retinoid to the treatment regimen in the treatment of psoriasis,. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 65 patients who underwent 81 courses of treatment in our department was undertaken. The efficacy of NB-UVB and Goeckerman therapy individually, and in combination with acitretin was assessed. Data were analysed to evaluate the contribution of acitretin to these modalities. RESULTS: PASI-75 responses in the NB-UVB, retinoid+NB-UVB (re-NB), Goeckerman and retinoid+Goeckerman (re-Goeckerman) groups were achieved for 12 of 31 patients (39%), 13 of 21 patients (62%), 15 of 17 patients (88%) and 10 of 12 patients, respectively. The addition of acitretin to both modalities reduced both the number of sessions and the cumulative ultraviolet-B dose delivered. LIMITATIONS: This is a retrospective study, the patients were not randomized and the number of patients in the treatment groups were dissimilar. CONCLUSION: Goeckerman therapy is more effective than NB-UVB phototherapy. Although the addition of acitretin to both NB-UVB and Goeckerman therapy did not contribute to treatment outcomes in terms of PASI-75 responses, it enabled a reduction in UV exposures and enhanced efficacy.

Phototherapy for mycosis fungoides.

BACKGROUND: Both phototherapy and photochemotherapy have been used in all stages of mycosis fungoides since they improve the symptoms and have a favourable adverse effect profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an extensive search of published literature using keywords like "phototherapy", "photochemotherapy", "NBUVB", "PUVA", "UVA1", "mycosis fungoides", and "Sezary syndrome", and included systematic reviews, meta-analysis, national guidelines, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective open label studies, and retrospective case series. These were then arranged according to their levels of evidence. RESULTS: Five hundred and forty three studies were evaluated, of which 107 fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in the guidelines. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Photochemotherapy in the form of psoralens with ultraviolet A (PUVA) is a safe, effective, and well tolerated first line therapy for the management of early stage mycosis fungoides (MF), that is, stage IA, IB, and IIA (Level of evidence 1+, Grade of recommendation B). The evidence for phototherapy in the form of narrow-band UVB (NB-UVB) is less robust (Level of evidence 2++, Grade of recommendation B) but may be considered at least as effective as PUVA in the treatment of early-stage MF as an initial therapy. In patients with patches and thin plaques, NB-UVB should be preferentially used. PUVA may be reserved for patients with thick plaques and those who relapse after initial NB-UVB therapy. For inducing remission, three treatment sessions per week of PUVA phototherapy or three sessions per week of NB-UVB phototherapy may be advised till the patient achieves complete remission. In cases of relapse, patients may be started again on PUVA monotherapy or PUVA may be combined with adjuvants like methotrexate and interferon (Level of evidence 2+, Grade of recommendation B). Patients with early-stage MF show good response to combination treatments like PUVA with methotrexate, bexarotene or interferon-α-2b. However, whether these combinations hold a significant advantage over monotherapy is inconclusive. For late stage MF, the above-mentioned combination therapy may be used as first-line treatment (Level of evidence 3, Grade of recommendation C). Currently, there is no consensus regarding maintenance therapy with phototherapy once remission is achieved. Maintenance therapy should not be employed for PUVA routinely and may be reserved for patients who experience an early relapse after an initial course of phototherapy (Level of evidence 2+, Grade of recommendation B). Bath-water PUVA may be tried as an alternative to oral PUVA in case the latter cannot be administered as the former may show similar efficacy (Level of evidence 2-, Grade of recommendation C). In pediatric MF and in hypopigmented MF, both NB-UVB and PUVA may be tried (Level of evidence 3, Grade of recommendation D).

Phototherapy for atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of these guidelines is to review the available published literature regarding the effectiveness of phototherapy and photochemotherapy in atopic dermatitis and put forward recommendations regarding their use in atopic dermatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed to collect data from PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library published till March 2014. Keywords used were "phototherapy", "photochemotherapy", "NB-UVB", "BBUVB", "PUVA", "UVA1", "atopic dermatitis", and "atopic eczema". Systematic reviews, meta-analysis, national guidelines, randomized controlled trials, prospective open label studies, and retrospective case series in English literature mentioning use of above-mentioned keywords were reviewed. RESULTS: Six hundred and eighty eight studies were evaluated, 38 of which fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in the guidelines. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Both UV1 and narrow-band UVB are effective in significantly decreasing the eczema severity although UV1 may be preferred in acute flares and narrow-band UVB in chronic eczema, especially in adults (Level of evidence 1+, Grade of recommendation A). Among various doses of UVA1, medium dose UVA1 may be preferred over others as its efficacy is similar to high dose and better than low dose UVA1 phototherapy. Narrow-band UVB is preferred to broad-band UVB (Level of evidence 1+, Grade of recommendation A). Medium-dose UVA1 is similar in efficacy to narrow-band UVB (Level of evidence 1+, Grade of recommendation A). In children, despite its efficacy, narrow-band UVB phototherapy should be used only as a second line therapy due to its potential for long-term adverse effects (Level of evidence 2+, Grade of recommendation B).