Therapeutic Effects of Narrow-band UVB Phototherapy in the Treatment of Vitiligo

Background: Recently, narrow-band UVB phototherapy is introduced for vitiligo treatment. It is easier to be applicable because of no need for topical and/or systemic photosensitizers, and comparably or more effective than PUVA without systemic side effects. Moreover, it is more safely applicable to children and pregnant women. However, to date, there is not so large series of clinical reports about its use in vitiligo treatment as to evaluate therapeutic effects. Objective: This study was to evaluate the effects of narrow-band UVB phototherapy for vitiligo in various aspects of clinical parameters. Methods: Treatment of patients in this study with narrow-band UVB was started between November 2001 and November 2002. Narrow-band UVB phototherapy was given as monotherapy once or twice a week. The starting dose was 280-300mJ/cm, with dose increments at each subsequent treatment. Results: 78 patients were able to be evaluated in this study. Their ages ranged from 3 to 67 years (mean, 33.7 years). 69 patients had Fitzpatrick skin type IV, 5 had skin type III and 4 had skin type V. 36 of the 78 patients (46.2%) achieved more than 75% repigmentation (grade 4). The better repigmentation grade, the shorter vitiligo duration (p=0.0464). Compared with other sites, lesions on the hands and feet showed poorer improvement(grade 1: 10/13 and 4/4 respectively, p= 0.0015). Adverse effects were limited and transient. Conclusion: Narrow-band UVB therapy is an effective and safe therapy for vitiligo. Long-term adverse and therapeutic effects compared to other treatment modalities remain to be determined.