Phototherapy trends in dermatology.
J Dermatolog Treat
; 25(6): 487-8, 2014 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23688185
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Use of phototherapy in the United States declined during the 1990s, largely due to unfavorable economic incentives. The trends in phototherapy since then are not well characterized.METHODS:
We analyzed the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) data on quantity of phototherapy visits and associated diagnoses and payment sources. Trends were assessed by linear regression.RESULTS:
There were an estimated 230 000 outpatient phototherapy visits per year, with an increasing trend over time (p = 0.03). Dermatologists managed 87% of the visits. Leading diagnoses associated with phototherapy included psoriasis (25%), dermatitis NOS (6%), vitiligo (6%), other dyschromia (6%), and actinic keratosis (5%).CONCLUSIONS:
Use of phototherapy for psoriasis has remained relatively low up to 2010. However, phototherapy may be becoming more frequent for conditions other than psoriasis.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Phototherapy
/
Skin Diseases
/
Health Care Surveys
/
Dermatology
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
J Dermatolog Treat
Journal subject:
DERMATOLOGIA
Year:
2014
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States