Frequency of skin cancer among psoriasis, vitiligo, and mycosis fungoides patients treated with narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy.

BACKGROUND: Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy is a popular and relatively contemporary treatment option. However, only a few studies to date have explored the potential risk of skin cancer following NB-UVB treatment. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the potential long-term risk of skin cancer in patients treated with NB-UVB. METHODS: This cohort study included patients with psoriasis, vitiligo, and mycosis fungoides treated with NB-UVB at two university hospitals in Israel in 2000-2005. Patients were followed up for skin cancer for at least 10 years. Data were extracted from the hospital and community medical records. RESULTS: A total of 767 patients were included in this study: 509 with psoriasis, 122 with vitiligo, and 136 with mycosis fungoides. The mean follow-up duration was 13 years. Among these patients, 4.43% developed skin cancer during the follow-up (3.93% had psoriasis, 2.46% had vitiligo, and 8.09% had mycosis fungoides). Old age and fair skin type were the only significant independent risk factors for skin cancer. There was no significant difference in the mean number of NB-UVB treatments among patients who developed skin cancer and those who did not (99.09 vs. 94.79, respectively). CONCLUSION: No association was observed between the number of NB-UVB treatments and carcinogenesis in any study group. Age is a significant risk factor, and older patients treated with NB-UVB should be followed up carefully.

Psori Silk in Mild to Moderate Psoriasis: A Randomized Phase I-II Trial Study.

In patients with mild to moderate psoriasis, topical corticosteroids are usually the first-line of treatment; however, they are not suitable for long-term use. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a multi-fruit-and-vegetable compound, Psori Silk, in the treatment of patients with psoriasis. This was a randomized double-blind trial comprising 12 weeks of treatment with Psori Silk versus a vehicle, and a 4-week follow-up. The primary endpoint was 50% reduction in the modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (MPASI 50) score at week 12, while the secondary endpoint was quality of life assessment using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). The Psori Silk group consisted of 23 patients with 34 lesions to be treated versus 22 patients in the vehicle group with 36 lesions. The MPASI 50 score was observed in 59% patients in the active group versus 22.7% patients in the vehicle group (P < 0.001). A mean 33% DLQI improvement was observed in 65.2% patients in the active group versus 27.2% patients in the vehicle group (P < 0.001). Mild and temporary discomfort at the site of application was reported in 39% patients in the active group versus 23% patients in the vehicle group. Psori silk appears to be an effective and safe treatment option for mild to moderate plaque psoriasis.

Bath psoralen plus ultraviolet-A photochemotherapy for chronic graft-versus-host disease: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic graft-versus-host disease is a severe complication of allogeneic stem cell and bone marrow transplantation. First-line immunosuppressive agents, such as steroids, are used to prevent this disease; however, they have multiple side effects. Therefore, bath psoralen plus ultraviolet-A (PUVA) is an alternative second-line treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of bath PUVA for managing chronic graft-versus-host disease. METHODS: This retrospective, case-control study included 14 patients with extensive cutaneous chronic graft-versus-host disease, resistant to systemic corticosteroid, treated with bath PUVA. Major and partial responses were defined as clinical improvements of >70% and 50-70%, respectively. We analyzed the graft-versus-host disease clinical presentation and timing after allogeneic stem cell and bone marrow transplantation, bath PUVA doses, background diseases, additional treatments, and adverse effects. RESULTS: We observed eight major (three lichenoid and five sclerodermatoid) and six partial (three lichenoid and three sclerodermatoid) responses after a mean of 28 treatment sessions. After 6 to 25 months, four of the eight patients with sclerodermatoid lesions and all those with lichenoid lesions experienced relapse but responded to additional treatment cycles. CONCLUSIONS: Bath PUVA is well-tolerated and effective for extensive cutaneous chronic graft-versus-host disease. It allows rapid tapering of adjuvant immunosuppressants; however, most patients require prolonged maintenance phototherapy.

Predictors of adherence to Narrowband ultraviolet B first-month treatment dosage plan.

BACKGROUND: The adherence to a narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) treatment plan is derived, in large part, from the patient's skin tolerance to the phototherapy dose. At present, the initial and first-month incremental phototherapy doses are determined prior to treatment initiation based on the patient's Fitzpatrick skin phototyping. OBJECTIVES: To identify variables that predict adherence to NB-UVB first-month treatment dosage plan. METHODS: Charts of 1000 consecutive patients receiving NB-UVB at a hospital-based phototherapy unit were retrospectively analyzed. We included patients receiving NB-UVB for atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, vitiligo, and mycosis fungoides. The first-month NB-UVB treatment plan was determined based on the patient's Fitzpatrick phototype. Adherence to treatment was defined as receiving at least 80% of the planned first-month cumulative dose. We compared adherent vs. non-adherent patient groups for age, sex, Fitzpatrick phototype, presence of freckles, nevus count category, and type of dermatological disease. RESULTS: The study included 817 eligible patients, mean age 40 (2-95) years; 54% men; 32% had Fitzpatrick phototype I-II. Distribution by diagnosis was atopic dermatitis (29%), psoriasis (27%), vitiligo (23%), and mycosis fungoides (21%). Adherence to NB-UVB treatment plan was observed in 71% of patients. Adherence decreased with age, with 7% decrease per year (P = 0.03) and was higher among mycosis fungoides patients (77.3%) compared to all other diagnoses (69.8%; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to NB-UVB treatment may be related to age and diagnosis. Fitzpatrick phototype-based first-month treatment plans should be modified accordingly.

Long-Term Narrowband UV-B Efficacy in Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Narrowband (NB) UV-B is known as an effective and safe treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD). However, there is a lack of studies regarding prognostic factors for favorable response and its duration. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of NB-UV-B for AD, in a large cohort and "real-life" setting. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study based on the medical records of patients with moderate to severe AD treated with NB-UV-B therapy between 2000 and 2017 with a long-term follow-up (≥3 years) after completing therapy. RESULTS: A total of 390 of 555 AD patients who were scheduled for NB-UV-B were included; among them, 55.4% responded well to treatment. Facial involvement, presence of adverse effects, lower number of treatments, and pretreatment immunoglobulin E levels greater than 4000 were related to poorer response. There was an overall median response duration of 12 months with a greater relapse rate among the patients younger than 18 years. CONCLUSIONS: Narrowband UV-B phototherapy shows high and long-lasting efficacy in AD. Patients with facial involvement and patients with high immunoglobulin E levels respond less to treatment. Response duration seems to be shorter for patients younger than 18 years.

Narrowband Ultraviolet B Radiation for Lichen Planus: Long-term Follow-up of 192 Patients.

Background: Narrowband UVB (NB UVB) has been suggested as an option for lichen planus control. However, the literature is lacking in reports of long-term results. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the long-term results of NB UVB therapy in lichen planus. Methods: This was a prospective, retrospective analysis of patients with lichen planus treated with NB UVB at our institution since 2004. The clinical response and relapse rate were recorded according to age, sex, mouth involvement, skin phototype, number of treatments, and total radiation dose. Results: One hundred thirty-seven of 192 (71%) eligible patients had a major response (MR) and 102 (74%) patients had no recurrence after an average follow-up period of 58.7 months. MR was achieved in 66 percent and 75 percent of men and women, respectively (p=0.021) and 76 percent and 68 percent of patients with Fitzpatrick Skin Types I and II and Skin Types IV and V, respectively (p=0.017). Age at the onset of the disease, number of treatments, and total UVB dose had no effect on the MR rate. The disease-free periods were 131 and 101 months for male and female patients, respectively (p=0.06), and 128 and 103 months for patients 40 years or younger and older than 40 years of age, respectively (p=0.07). Conclusion: Based on our results, female patients and patients with lighter skin phototypes appeared to have higher MR rates. However, female and older patients appear to be at increased risk of recurrence.

The effect of narrow-band ultraviolet B radiation on sleep, happiness, and appetite: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The health benefits of sunlight are well documented, including the effects on happiness and sleep. However, only a few studies have investigated the benefits of artificial narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) radiation. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of NB-UVB on sleep quality, happiness, and appetite. METHODS: Patients from a single phototherapy unit were selected, and their epidemiological characteristics were documented. Subjects were asked to complete questionnaires including the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), and the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ) 4 weeks before and after the initiation of the NB-UVB therapy. The sample consisted of 52 patients. RESULTS: Four weeks after the initiation of NB-UVB sessions, sleep quality was significantly improved (the PSQI decreased from 6.5 to 5.23 (t = -3.52, P < .01). In contrast, subjective happiness did not improve (the SHS decreased from baseline 5.5 to 5.2, P > .05). Similarly, appetite did not change (the SNAQ score increased from baseline 14.75 to 15.05, P > .05) and body mass index was not affected by phototherapy. In general, men were found to have better sleep quality before and after UV light therapy. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that NB-UVB exposure over 4 weeks improves sleep quality; however, it does not influence happiness or appetite.

Potential of narrow-band ultraviolet B to induce sustained durable complete remission off-therapy in patients with stage I mycosis fungoides.

BACKGROUND: Narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) is a first-line therapy for stage I mycosis fungoides (MF), with a complete response in 75%-85% of patients. However, data on long-term disease-free survival (DFS) after therapy are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term DFS after NB-UVB treatment of stage I MF. METHODS: We used a historic cohort of all stage I MF patients achieving a complete response with NB-UVB who discontinued treatment before 2011. Age at the beginning of phototherapy, sex, stage, skin phototype, number of treatments, total dose, and the length of DFS was collected. RESULTS: Of the 117 patients who started NB-UVB, 93 patients (80%) had a complete response and 56 (60%) were disease free as of March 2017. In a multivariate analysis, DFS was affected independently by age and disease stage only. DFS was longer for patients <50 years old (124 months) than those ≥50 years old (91 months, P = .01) and longer for stage IA patients (131 months) than stage IB patients (87.6 months, P = .001). LIMITATIONS: The study was retrospective in nature. CONCLUSION: After a single course of NB-UVB, over a half of stage I MF patients achieved >5 years of DFS and were potentially cured. Thus, NB-UVB can be considered a disease-modifying therapy.

Broad-band UVB versus paint PUVA for palmoplantar psoriasis treatment.

BACKGROUND: Plaque-type palmoplantar psoriasis (PPTP) is a chronic recalcitrant dermatosis with treatment modalities ranging through topical, phototherapy or systemic. Phototherapy options include various forms of ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A with prior psoralen sensitization (PUVA). Currently, few comparative studies have been reported. PURPOSE: To compare Broad-Band UVB (BB-UVB) versus paint PUVA (p-PUVA) in regard to efficacy and safety in the treatment of PPTP. METHODS: A retrospective non-randomized cohort study comprised of all the patients with PPTP treated in our phototherapy centre during 2010-2012, either with BB-UVB or p-PUVA. RESULTS: Among the 248 patients included in this study, 122 received BB-UVB and 126 followed p-PUVA treatment. About 36 (30%) and 53 (42%) had complete remission, 29 (24%) and 59 (47%) responded partially and 57 (47%) and 14 (11%) patients did not improve with BB-UVB and p-PUVA, respectively. The odds ratio for remission (p-PUVA: BB-UVB) was 7.9. Duration of remission was 21.9 ± 1.34 months for p-PUVA and 16.75 ± 1.83 months for BB-UVB. CONCLUSION: Both BB-UVB and p-PUVA are good therapeutic options for PPTP. P-PUVA emerges as the superior treatment modality, yielding a better and more extended response. BB-UVB represents a feasible alternative in patients with milder disease or possible contraindications for p-PUVA.

Role of bath psoralen plus ultraviolet A in early-stage mycosis fungoides.

BACKGROUND: Psoralen plus ultraviolet (UV) A (PUVA) radiation is the preferred treatment for folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (MF) and MF refractory to narrowband (NB) UVB radiation. However, systemic PUVA has many unfavorable side effects and contraindications. Bath PUVA has been found to be a suitable alternative in patients with psoriasis, but data on MF are sparse. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of bath PUVA in the treatment of folliculotropic MF and NB-UVB-refractory early-stage MF. METHODS: The study group included 26 patients of average age 44 years attending a tertiary medical center in 2004 through 2012, 14 with folliculotropic type and 12 with NB-UVB-refractory early-stage MF who were not amenable for oral PUVA. Treatment consisted of 0.2 mg/L 8-methoxypsoralen bath 3 times weekly followed by UVA irradiation at 0.3 J/cm(2) with fixed increments every second session. RESULTS: A complete clinical response was achieved in 62% of patients after an average of 33 weeks and a cumulative radiation dose of 158 J/cm(2). LIMITATIONS: This was a relatively small series. CONCLUSION: Bath PUVA is a good treatment option for superficial folliculotropic MF and NB-UVB-refractory early-stage MF.

Bath psoralen-UVA photochemotherapy for localized scleroderma: experience from a single institute.

BACKGROUND: Localized scleroderma (LS) comprises a spectrum of sclerotic autoimmune diseases primarily affecting the dermis. Various treatment modalities have been recommended for the management of LS, but only a few studies exist regarding the efficacy of bath PUVA photochemotherapy in the treatment of LS. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of bath PUVA photochemotherapy in the management of LS in a retrospective study. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (23 women and five men) with a diagnosis of LS, confirmed by histology, were included in the study. Patients were treated with a thrice-weekly regimen of bath immersion in 0.2 mg/1 water solution of 8-methoxypsoralen, followed by irradiation with UVA. RESULTS: Eleven patients (39%) showed complete remission (complete softening of the sclerotic plaques with or without postinflammatory hyper- or hypopigmentation) after a mean of 71 treatments (range 33-170) and a mean cumulative dose of 115 J/cm(2) (range 11-232). Partial softening and regression of the sclerotic plaques was observed in 14 patients (50%). Three patients (10.7%) showed no effect, and in none of the patients was worsening noted during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, bath PUVA photochemotherapy is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for LS and should be considered as one of the first-line treatment modalities.