Narrowband ultraviolet B radiation therapy for vitiligo in Asians

Abstract

Background Vitiligo is an acquired disorder of pigmentation with 1-2% incidenceworldwide. Various treatment modalities have been described in literature with variableresults. Recently, narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) has been reported to be effective invitiligo.Objective To assess the efficacy of narrowband ultraviolet B therapy in Asian patients withlocalized vitiligo.Patients and methods The study was open and uncontrolled. All patients with localizedvitiligo who were seen at the Phototherapy Unit, of the Skin Clinic, Lahore from July, 2002to June, 2003 and fulfilled the inclusion criteria, were treated with NBUVB as part of ourclinical practice. The initial dose was 0.5 J/cm2 independent of the skin type. The dose wasincreased by 20% at each treatment session.Results A total of 23 patients were recruited; 13 females and 10 males. Their mean age was27 years (range 9-48 years). 65% of patients showed >50% improvement. Certain anatomicsites responded better than the others. The best response i.e. >75% repigmentation was seenin lesions on face and neck. Lesions on the trunk also achieved more than 50%repigmentation. However, none had more than 10% repigmentation on hands and feet.Conclusion Our results showed that NBUVB is a safe and effective option for improvingcosmetic appearance in vitiligo patients. Its adverse effects were minimal and transient andwere well tolerated by the patients.