Derm News: 2007.22(10)

Generalized pruritus treated with narrowband UVB

International Journal of Dermatology, 46(4):367-370
Dilek Seckin, Zeynep Demircay, Ozlem Akin
ABSTRACT

Background

Narrowband UVB phototherapy has been increasingly used in a variety of dermatological diseases. We planned to evaluate its efficacy in generalized pruritus in this prospective study.

Methods

Forty-six patients were included and then divided into two groups: group 1 and group 2 consisted of patients with uremic pruritus and "idiopathic pruritus", respectively. Phototherapy was given three times a week. Efficacy assessments were made by means of visual analog scale (VAS) and pruritus grading score.

Results

Thirty-five patients completed the treatment. Mean VAS decreased from 8.2 ± 1.5 to 3.6 ± 3 in group 1 and from 7.1 ± 2.3 to 2.3 ± 2.8 in group 2 (P < 0.0001). Mean percentage of change in VAS was 54.2% (95% CI 32.6-75.9) and 67.9% (95% CI 53.8-81.9) in group 1 and group 2, respectively. Mean number of treatments was 22 in both groups. Mean cumulative UVB dose was 24,540 mJ/cm2 and 20,801 mJ/cm2 in group 1 and group 2, respectively.

Conclusions

Narrowband UVB is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for patients with generalized pruritus.

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The Derm News service provided by the Editorial Consultants of Skin Therapy Letter^© and its founding editor Dr. Stuart Maddin.