Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy for patients with refractory uraemic pruritus: a randomized controlled trial.
Br J Dermatol
; 165(3): 633-9, 2011 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21668425
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Pruritus is very common in uraemic patients, but the treatment remains challenging. Studies regarding narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy for uraemic pruritus are rare.OBJECTIVES:
To investigate whether or not NB-UVB phototherapy is an effective treatment for uraemic pruritus.METHODS:
We conducted a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial for patients with refractory uraemic pruritus. The treatment group received NB-UVB phototherapy three times per week for 6 weeks. The dose of NB-UVB started from 210 mJ cm(-2) and was increased by 10% each time. The control group received time-matched exposures to long-wave UVA radiation. A visual analogue scale (VAS) score was evaluated weekly for pruritus intensity for 12 weeks. The characteristics of pruritus were also assessed by a questionnaire at baseline and after 6 weeks of phototherapy.RESULTS:
Both the NB-UVB and control groups had significant and comparable improvement in the pruritus intensity VAS scores during the period of phototherapy and follow-up. Compared with the control group, the NB-UVB group showed a significant improvement in the involved body surface area affected by pruritus (P = 0·006), but not in sleep quality. More detailed regression and estimating analysis revealed that the patients in the NB-UVB group had lower pruritus intensity scores at week 6, week 10 and week 12. This may indicate a beneficial difference at certain time points, but the effect seems marginal.CONCLUSIONS:
NB-UVB phototherapy does not show a significant effect in reducing pruritus intensity compared with a control group for refractory uraemic pruritus. Further studies are warranted.
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Prurido
/
Terapia Ultravioleta
/
Uremia
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
Limite:
Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article