Role of phototherapy in the era of biologics.

Phototherapy is a safe and effective treatment for many dermatologic conditions. With the advent of novel biologics and small molecule inhibitors, it is important to critically evaluate the role of phototherapy in dermatology. Surveys have shown that many dermatology residency programs do not dedicate time to teaching residents how to prescribe or administer phototherapy. Limitations of phototherapy include access to a center, time required for treatments, and insurance approval. Home phototherapy, a viable option, is also underused. However, it should be emphasized that modern phototherapy has been in use for over 40 years, has an excellent safety profile, and does not require laboratory monitoring. It can be safely combined with many other treatment modalities, including biologics and small molecule inhibitors. In addition, phototherapy costs significantly less than these novel agents. Dermatologists are the only group of physicians who have the expertise and proper training to deliver this treatment modality to our patients. Therefore, to continue to deliver high-quality, cost-effective care, it is imperative that phototherapy be maintained as an integral part of the dermatology treatment armamentarium.

Photobiomodulation in oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis followed by a cost-effectiveness analysis.

BACKGROUND: Oral mucositis (OM) is an oral toxicity caused by cancer treatment, found often in patients with head and neck cancer. Low-intensity laser therapy for OM has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and tissue reparative properties. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the randomized clinical trials of OM laser therapy in patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancers, followed by a cost-effectiveness analysis of the therapy. METHOD: The search terms, mucositis and phototherapy, laser therapy and mucositis, photobiomodulation and mucositis, and low-level laser therapy and mucositis, were used to search the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, and MEDLINE. Randomized clinical trials were divided into two groups: one treated with laser therapy and the other given a placebo. Only 13 studies were included in the systematic review, and 6 studies in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: The results of the systematic review and meta-analysis show that the laser therapy presented good results in clinical improvement and pain reduction, decreasing the patients' likelihood of developing OM, with degrees of debilitating lesions, to 64% (RR = 0.36 [95% CI = 0.29-0.44]). The cost-effectiveness analysis revealed an incremental cost of R$ 3687.53 for the laser group, with an incremental effectiveness of 132.2. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was 27.89, for the severe OM cases that were avoided. CONCLUSION: It was concluded, therefore, that photobiomodulation for OM in patients receiving head and neck cancer treatment was clinically effective and cost-effective.

Theranostic Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Bringing Healing Light to the Lumen.

Current conventional endoscopes have restricted the accuracy of treatment delivery and monitoring. Over the past decade, there have been major developments in nanotechnology and light triggered therapy, potentially allowing a better detection of challenging lesions and targeted treatment of malignancies in the gastrointestinal tract. Theranostics is a developing form of personalized medicine because it combines diagnosis and targeted treatment delivered in one step using advances in nanotechnology. This review describes the light-triggered therapies (including photodynamic, photothermal, and photoimmunotherapies), nanotechnological advances with nanopowder, nanostent, nanogels, and nanoparticles, enhancements brought to endoscopic ultrasound, in addition to experimental endoscopic techniques, combining both enhanced diagnoses and therapies, including a developed prototype of a "smart" multifunctional endoscope for localized colorectal cancer, near-infrared laser endoscope targeting the gastrointestinal stromal tumors, the concept of endocapsule for obscure gastrointestinal bleed, and a proof-of-concept therapeutic capsule using ultrasound-mediated targeted drug delivery. Hence, the following term has been proposed encompassing these technologies: "Theranostic gastrointestinal endoscopy." Future efforts for integration of these technologies into clinical practice would be directed toward translational and clinical trials translating into a more personalized and interdisciplinary diagnosis and treatment, shorter procedural time, higher precision, higher cost-effectiveness, and less need for repetitive procedures.

Evaluation of Home Phototherapy for Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize home phototherapy treatment for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and assess the risk factors associated with the need for hospital admission during or after home phototherapy. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective study of newborn infants born at ≥35 weeks of gestation who underwent comprehensive home phototherapy (that included daily in-home lactation support and blood draws) over an 18-month period. We excluded infants who lacked a recorded birth date or time, started treatment at age >14 days, or had a conjugated serum bilirubin level of ≥2 mg/dL (≥34.2 µmol/L). The primary study outcome was any hospital admission during or within 24 hours after completion of home phototherapy. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for hospitalization. RESULTS: Of the cohort of 1385 infants, 1324 met the inclusion criteria. At the time home phototherapy was initiated, 376 infants (28%) were at or above the American Academy of Pediatrics phototherapy threshold. Twenty-five infants required hospitalization (1.9%; 95% CI, 1.3%-2.8%). Hospital admission was associated with a younger age at phototherapy initiation (OR, 0.63 for each day older in age; 95% CI, 0.44-0.91) and a higher total serum bilirubin level relative to the treatment threshold at phototherapy initiation (OR, 1.71 for each 1 mg/dL above the treatment threshold; 95% CI, 1.40-2.08). CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive home phototherapy successfully treated hyperbilirubinemia in the vast majority of the infants in this cohort.

Phototherapy achieves significant cost savings by the delay of drug-based treatment in psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Although used for decades in psoriasis, access to phototherapy is becoming increasingly restricted. Besides patient inconvenience, this is in large part to do with a perception of "high cost." We previously reported a comprehensive analysis of direct and indirect phototherapy treatment cost. However, no robust data exist on the actual savings associated with providing phototherapy in the treatment pathway. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the cost savings achieved by phototherapy by delaying alternative treatments. METHODS: Costs accruing through the UK-wide established treatment pathway with and without phototherapy were analysed. Direct and indirectly incurred drug treatment costs were calculated using drug tariff, laboratory cost, estate rates and clinic review costs. To enhance reliability, ranges of cost scenarios were calculated by varying parameters such as drug dosing. RESULTS: Medium annual cost savings per patient were £2200 [range: £1800-£2900] for NB-UVB, and £3700 [range: £2500-£5300] if both NB-UVB and PUVA courses were administered, respectively. As the provider treated 656 ± 76 patients per year during the 6-year observational window, this amounted to savings of £Mio 2.4 [range: £Mio 1.6-£Mio 3.4], even excluding additional non-modelled drug-associated costs (eg diagnostics, adverse event management). Since we only consider cost savings by delay of drug treatment for the duration of phototherapy, drug price reductions through biosimilar introduction only have a small effect. We provide spreadsheets allowing adaptation cost savings projections by varying input variables. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers may achieve significant cost savings by implementing and/or widening access to phototherapy.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Degradable and Cost-Effective Plasmonic Nanoshells for Localized Photothermolysis of Cancer Cells.

Integrating the concept of biodegradation and light-triggered localized therapy in a functional nanoformulation is the current approach in onco-nanomedicine. Morphology control with an enhanced photothermal response, minimal toxicity, and X-ray attenuation of polymer-based nanoparticles is a critical concern for image-guided photothermal therapy. Herein, we describe the simple design of cost-effective and degradable polycaprolactone-based plasmonic nanoshells for the integrated photothermolysis as well as localized imaging of cancer cells. The gold-deposited polycaprolactone-based plasmonic nanoshells (AuPCL NS) are synthesized in a scalable and facile way under ambient conditions. The synthesized nanoshells are monodisperse, fairly stable, and highly inert even at five times (250 µg/mL) the therapeutic concentration in a week-long test. AuPCL NS are capable of delivering standalone photothermal therapy for the complete ablation of cancer cells without using any anticancerous drugs and causing toxicity. It delivers the same therapeutic efficacy to different cancer cell lines, irrespective of their chemorefractory status and also works as a potential computed tomography contrast agent for the integrated imaging-directed photothermal cancer therapy. High biocompatibility, degradability, and promising photothermal efficacy of AuPCL NS are attractive aspects of this report that could open new horizons of localized plasmonic photothermal therapy for healthcare applications.

Phototherapy for Neonatal Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia: Examining Outcomes by Level of Care.

OBJECTIVES: Newborns hospitalized with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia without critical comorbidities may receive intensive phototherapy (IP) in non-ICU levels of care, such as a mother-newborn unit, or ICU levels of care. Our aim was to compare outcomes between each level. METHODS: Using hospital discharge data from 2005 to 2011 in New York's State Inpatient Database, we performed multivariate analyses to compare outcomes that included total cost of hospitalization, length of stay, 30-day readmission rate after IP, and the number of cases of death, exchange transfusion, and γ globulin infusion. We included term newborns treated with IP in their first 30 days of life and without diagnosis codes for other critical illnesses. Explanatory variables included level of care, sex, race, insurance type, presence or absence of hemolysis, hospital, volume of IP performed at each hospital, and year of hospitalization. RESULTS: Ninety-nine percent of IP was delivered in non-ICU levels of care. Incidence of major complications was rare (≤0.1%). After adjusting for confounders, ICU level of care was not associated with difference in length of stay (relative risk: 1.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91 to 1.15) or 30-day readmission rate (odds ratio: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.50 to 1.09) but was associated with 1.51 (95% CI: 1.47 to 1.56) times higher costs. CONCLUSIONS: For otherwise healthy term newborns with jaundice requiring IP, most received treatment in a non-ICU level of care, and those in intensive care had no difference in outcomes but incurred higher costs. IP guideline authors may want to be more prescriptive about IP level of care to improve value.

A Cost-utility Analysis of Calcipotriol/Betamethasone Dipropionate Aerosol Foam versus Ointment for the Topical Treatment of Psoriasis Vulgaris in Sweden.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that imposes a substantial economic burden. We conducted a cost-utility analysis from a Swedish healthcare payers perspective using a decision-tree model with a 12-week time horizon. Patients with psoriasis vulgaris could have two 4-week cycles of topical treatment with calcipotriol 50 µg/g and betamethasone 0.5 mg/g as dipropionate (Cal/BD) foam or Cal/BD ointment before progressing to phototherapy/methotrexate. In the base-case analysis, Cal/BD foam dominated over Cal/BD ointment. The increased efficacy of Cal/BD foam resulted in fewer consultations and a decreased risk of progressing to phototherapy/methotrexate. Although Cal/BD foam costs more than Cal/BD ointment, this was offset by lower costs for phototherapy/methotrexate or consultation visits. Sensitivity analyses revealed that the base-case net monetary benefit was robust to plausible variations in key parameters. In conclusion, Cal/BD foam was predicted to be more cost-effective than Cal/BD ointment in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.

Out-of-pocket Costs for Individuals with Atopic Eczema: A Cross-sectional Study in Nine European Countries.

Atopic eczema (AE) is one of the most common non-communicable inflammatory skin diseases, and has a huge socioeconomic impact. Studies on the everyday economic impact of AE on patients, however, are limited. To estimate the annual extra out-of-pocket spending due to AE among patients in Europe, a cross-sectional study using computer-assisted phone interviewing of patients with AE was performed in 9 European countries. A total of 1,189 patients (56% women) with AE, who were either eligible for, or on, systemic treatment, participated in the study between October 2017 and March 2018. Mean extra spending on everyday necessities was €927 per patient per year for healthcare expenses, and this figure was slightly, but not statistically significantly, influenced by the severity of AE. Emollients and moisturizers accounted for the highest monthly costs, followed by medication that was not reimbursed, doctors' and hospital costs. AE-related out-of-pocket costs pose a substantial burden for affected individuals, are higher than in other chronic diseases, and should always be included in economic assessments of the impact of this disease.

Local radiation and phototherapy are the most cost-effective treatments for stage IA mycosis fungoides: A comparative decision analysis model in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Treatments for early-stage mycosis fungoides (MF) include topical steroids, topical nitrogen mustard, topical bexarotene, narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB), psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA), and local radiation. The relative cost-effectiveness of each treatment given the differences in treatment failure, disease progression, and therapy escalation is not established. OBJECTIVE: To compare the cost-effectiveness (CE) of treatment options for stage IA MF. METHODS: A state-transition model was constructed with health states of stage IA to stage IV disease, no MF, and death. Treatment-specific remission and relapse rates were obtained from the literature. Lifetime costs were calculated by accounting for medications, office visits, laboratory monitoring, related procedures, work absences, and travel. RESULTS: The order of CE of the study treatments was determined to be as follows: local radiation, $225,399 for 15.40 life-years (LYs); NBUVB, $344,728 for 15.17 LYs; PUVA, $371,741 for 15.07 LYs; topical corticosteroids, $469,354 for 14.65 LYs; topical nitrogen mustard, $951,662 for 14.29 LYs; and topical bexarotene, 11,892,496 for 13.55 LYs. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the CE rankings. LIMITATIONS: We assumed a constant probability of response, relapse rates, and 3-month treatment intervals. CONCLUSIONS: Local radiation is the most cost-effective treatment for limited local disease, whereas phototherapy (NBUVB or PUVA) is cost-effective for generalized disease. Our findings can serve to inform future studies and recommendations regarding selection of therapy for stage IA MF.

Evaluating the Effect of Treatment Persistence on the Economic Burden of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis and/or Psoriatic Arthritis Patients in the U.S. Department of Defense Population.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic, hyper-proliferative dermatological condition associated with joint symptoms known as psoriatic arthritis (PsA). In a 2013 review, the total economic burden of PsA was estimated at $51.7-$63.2 billion. The economic burden of moderate to severe psoriasis patients has reduced significantly with the advent of biologics, but there remains a dearth of real-world evidence of the impact of treatment persistence on the economic burden of moderate to severe psoriasis and/or PsA patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the overall and psoriasis and/or PsA-related health care utilization and costs among patients who were persistent versus those nonpersistent on index biologic among the moderate to severe psoriasis and/or PsA population. METHODS: Adult patients with ≥ 2 claims with diagnosis of psoriasis and/or PsA during the period of November 2010-October 2015 were identified from the U.S. Department of Defense database; the first diagnosis date during November 2011-October 2014 was defined as the index date. As of the index date, patients were considered to have moderate to severe psoriasis or PsA if they had ≥ 1 nontopical systemic therapy or phototherapy during the 1-year pre- or 1-month post-index date. Persistence to index therapy, defined as the first biologic used (etanercept, adalimumab, ustekinumab, infliximab) on or within 30 days post-index date, was determined based on the biologic dosing schedule and a 90-day gap. Generalized linear models were used to compare the health care utilization and costs between persistent and nonpersistent patients during the 1-year post-index period. RESULTS: A total of 2,945 moderate to severe psoriasis and/or PsA patients were identified. Of those, 1,899 (64.5%) were persistent and 1,046 (35.5%) were nonpersistent. Compared with nonpersistent patients, persistent patients were older (49.2 vs. 45.5 years; P < 0.001) and more likely to be male (52% vs. 45%; P < 0.001). More persistent patients were diagnosed with dyslipidemia (40% vs. 35%; P = 0.002), had lower antidepressant use (23.4% vs. 27.4%; P < 0.001), and had lower anxiolytic use (30% vs. 37%; P < 0.001) compared with nonpersistent patients. After adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, nonpersistent patients had higher total medical costs ($12,457 vs. $8,964; P < 0.001) compared with persistent patients, and ambulatory visits (23.9 vs. 21.4; P = 0.007) were a major contributor. Approximately 40% of the total overall medical costs were attributed to psoriasis and PsA. Although persistent patients incurred higher pharmacy costs ($10,684 vs. $7,849; P < 0.001) due to higher biologic use and the potentially high per-unit cost of biologics, their psoriasis- and/or PsA-related medical costs were significantly lower than those of nonpersistent patients ($3,395 vs. $5,041; P < 0.001). Total overall costs combining medical and pharmacy costs were similar between the cohorts ($22,678 vs. $21,477; P = 0.122). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to severe psoriasis and/or PsA patients who were persistent on index biologic treatment had higher pharmacy utilization and costs, albeit with lower medical costs and similar total costs, compared with nonpersistent patients. DISCLOSURES: This study was funded by Janssen Scientific Affairs. Lee is a paid employee of Janssen Scientific Affairs. Xie, Wang, Vaidya, and Baser are paid employees of STATinMED Research, which is a paid consultant to Janssen Scientific Affairs. This study was presented as an abstract at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 2017 Annual Meeting, March 27-30, 2017, in Denver, CO.

Comparison of Transcutaneous and Serum Bilirubin Measurements in Neonates 30 to 34 Weeks' Gestation Before, During, and After Phototherapy.

BACKGROUND: The use of noninvasive, transcutaneous bilirubin monitoring (TcB) as a jaundice screen in full-term infants is well established; however, there is a paucity of research evaluating the use of TcB in premature infants. PURPOSE: To compare agreement and consistency of transcutaneous and serum bilirubin measurements in a multiracial premature infant population ranging from 30 to 34(Equation is included in full-text article.)weeks' gestation before, during, and after phototherapy. METHODS: Forty-five neonates, 30 to 34(Equation is included in full-text article.)weeks' gestation, were enrolled in this prospective, correlational study over a 12-month period. One set of paired transcutaneous and serum bilirubin measurements, per neonate, was obtained before phototherapy, during therapy, and after phototherapy. Exclusion criteria included neonates with positive direct coombs test or evidence of hemolytic disease, major congenital anomalies, hydrops fetalis, and those not expected to survive. RESULTS: There was a strong, positive correlation between TcB and total serum monitoring (TSB) measurements obtained pretherapy (r = 0.797, P < .001). A moderate correlation was noted between TcB and TSB measurements obtained during therapy (r = 0.588, P < .001). A strong correlation was noted between TcB and TSB measurements obtained posttherapy (r = 0.869, P < .001). There were no significant differences between paired samples across time (F = 0.891, P = .41, partial η = 0.01). The TSB measurements were consistently lower than TcB pretherapy, during, and posttherapy. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The TcB measurements provide a reliable estimation, generally within 2 to 3 mg/dL of TSB levels, in premature infants 30 to 34(Equation is included in full-text article.)weeks' gestation. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Investigation of consumption of time and nursing personnel required to perform TcB testing, compared with TSB testing, is indicated. Cost analyses comparing TcB-driven screening protocols and interval TSB measurements, among premature infants, are indicated. As newer generations of TcB devices are approved for use, additional studies using mixed-race populations of premature infants will be necessary to continue to evaluate the reliability and validity of this screening tool within the everyday neonatal intensive care unit.

Trends in phototherapy utilization among Medicare beneficiaries in the United States, 2000 to 2015.

BACKGROUND: Phototherapy is a cost-effective treatment for many dermatoses, yet the emergence of alternative therapies such as biologics led many to think that phototherapy utilization was declining. OBJECTIVE: To characterize national, historical phototherapy utilization and costs among Medicare beneficiaries. METHODS: Longitudinal analysis of the Medicare Part B National Summary Data File from 2000 to 2015 for phototherapy billing codes. Geographic distribution of clinics and provider type obtained from the Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data for 2012 to 2015. RESULTS: The overall volume of phototherapy services billed to Medicare from 2000 to 2015 increased by 5% annually, from 334,670 to 692,093. Ultraviolet B therapy comprised 77% of phototherapy volume, utilization of psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy declined by 9% annually, and excimer laser services grew by 29% annually. The number of phototherapy clinics is increasing but remains concentrated in only 11% of US counties. Between 2012 and 2015, dermatologists accounted for 92% of phototherapy volume. LIMITATIONS: Commercial payers and institutional claims (hospital-based physicians) are excluded. Clinical indications for phototherapy use are not reported in this database. CONCLUSION: Phototherapy utilization has grown, though the service mix has shifted toward ultraviolet B and laser excimer therapy and away from psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy. Dermatologists manage most phototherapy. Uneven geographic distribution of phototherapy clinics limits access in nonurban areas, and further evaluation is needed to determine its impact on rural communities.

Ixekizumab for Treating Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis: An Evidence Review Group Perspective of a NICE Single Technology Appraisal.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence invited Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, the company manufacturing ixekizumab (tradename Taltz®), to submit evidence for the clinical and cost effectiveness of ixekizumab. Ixekizumab was compared with tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab), ustekinumab, secukinumab, best supportive care and, if non-biological treatment or phototherapy is suitable, also compared with systemic non-biological therapies and phototherapy with ultraviolet B radiation for adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Kleijnen Systematic Reviews Ltd, in collaboration with Maastricht University Medical Center, was commissioned as the independent Evidence Review Group. This article presents a summary of the company submission, the Evidence Review Group report and the development of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance for the use of this drug in England and Wales by the Appraisal Committee. The Evidence Review Group produced a critical review of the clinical and cost effectiveness of ixekizumab based on the company submission. The company submission presented three randomised controlled trials identified in a systematic review. All randomised controlled trials were phase III, multicentre placebo-controlled trials including 3866 participants with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Two trials also included an active comparator (etanercept). All randomised controlled trials showed statistically significant increases in two primary outcomes, static Physician Global Assessment (0,1) and improvement of 75% from baseline in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index. Ixekizumab was generally well tolerated in the randomised controlled trials, with similar discontinuation rates because of adverse events as placebo or etanercept. The most frequent adverse events of special interest were infections and injection-site reactions. The company submission also included a network meta-analysis of relevant comparators. The Evidence Review Group highlighted some issues regarding the systematic review process and an issue with the generalisability of the findings in that the trials failed to include patients with moderate psoriasis according to a widely used definition. This issue was considered by the Appraisal Committee and the population was deemed generalisable to patients in England and Wales. Based on the network meta-analysis, the Appraisal Committee concluded that ixekizumab was more clinically effective than adalimumab and ustekinumab, and agreed it was likely that ixekizumab was similarly effective compared with secukinumab and infliximab while tolerability was similar to other biological treatments approved for treating psoriasis. The Evidence Review Group's critical assessment of the company's economic evaluation highlighted a number of concerns, including (1) the use of relative outcomes such as Psoriasis Area and Severity Index response to model the cost effectiveness; (2) the exclusion of the consequences of adverse events; (3) the assumption of no utility gain in the induction phase; (4) equal annual discontinuation rates for all treatments; (5) the selection of treatment sequences for consideration in the analyses and; (6) the transparency of the Visual Basic for Applications code used to develop the model. Although some of these issues were adjusted in the Evidence Review Group base case, the Evidence Review Group could not estimate the impact of all of these issues, and thus acknowledges that there are still uncertainties concerning the cost-effectiveness evidence. In the Evidence Review Group base-case incremental analysis, the treatment sequence incorporating ixekizumab in the second line has an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £25,532 per quality-adjusted life-year gained vs. the etanercept sequence. Ixekizumab in the first-line sequence has an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £39,129 per quality-adjusted life-year gained compared with the treatment sequence incorporating ixekizumab in the second line. Consistent with its conclusion regarding clinical effectiveness, the Appraisal Committee concluded that the cost effectiveness of ixekizumab for treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis was similar to that of other biological treatments, already recommended in previous National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance. The committee concluded that the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was within the range that could be considered a cost-effective use of National Health Service resources.

Filtered sunlight, solar powered phototherapy and other strategies for managing neonatal jaundice in low-resource settings.

Challenges in treating severe neonatal jaundice in low and middle-income country settings still exist at many levels. These include: a lack of awareness of causes and prevention by families, communities and even sometimes health care professionals; insufficient, ineffective, high quality affordable diagnostic and therapeutic options; limited availability of rehabilitation provision for kernicterus. Collectively these challenges lead to an unacceptably high global morbidity and mortality from severe neonatal jaundice. In the past decade, there has been an explosion of innovations addressing some of these issues and these are increasingly available for scale up. Scientists, healthcare providers, and communities are joining hands to explore educational tools, low cost screening and diagnostic options including at point-of-care and treatment modalities including filtered sunlight and solar powered phototherapy. For the first time, the possibility of eliminating the tragedy of preventable morbidity and mortality from severe NNJ is on the horizon, for all.

A Systematic Review of Light Emitting Diode (LED) Phototherapy for Treatment of Psoriasis: An Emerging Therapeutic Modality.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition. The economic burden of psoriasis is approximately $35.2 billion in the United States per year, and treatment costs are increasing at a higher rate than general inflation. Light emitting diode (LED) phototherapy may represent a cost-effective, efficacious, safe, and portable treatment modality for psoriasis.

Objective: The goal of our manuscript is to review the published literature and provide evidence-based recommendations on LED phototherapy for the treatment of psoriasis.

Methods & Materials: A search of the databases Pubmed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CINAHL was performed on April 5, 2016. Key search terms were related to psoriasis and LED-based therapies.

Results: A total of 7,793 articles were generated from the initial search and 5 original articles met inclusion criteria for our review. Grade of recommendation: B for LED-blue light. Grade of recommendation: C for LED-ultraviolet B, LED-red light, and combination LED-near-infrared and LED-red light.

Conclusion: We envision further characterizing the effects of LED phototherapy to treat psoriasis in patients may increase adoption of LED-based modalities and provide clinicians and patients with new therapeutic options that balance safety, efficacy, and cost.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(5):482-488.