Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy improves quality of life of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis patients up to 3 months: Results from an observational multicenter study

Abstract

Background/Purpose Narrowband UVB phototherapy is a common treatment modality in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, but evidence of its actual effect in clinical setting is sparse. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness and costs of narrowband UVB phototherapy in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in clinical setting. Methods We observed 207 psoriasis patients and 144 atopic dermatitis patients in eight centers. SAPASI, PO‐SCORAD, and VAS measures were used at baseline, at the end, and 3 months after the narrowband UVB phototherapy course. Quality of life was measured using Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and costs were assessed using a questionnaire. Results In both psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, the DLQI and Self‐Administrated PASI (SAPASI)/Patient‐Oriented SCORAD (PO‐SCORAD) improved significantly and the results remained improved for at least 3 months in both groups. Alleviation of pruritus correlated with better quality of life in both patient groups. We reported slight redness and burning side effects which were due to lack of MED testing. Self‐administered tools proved to be useful in evaluating pruritus and severity of the disease in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Mean patient costs were 310 € and 21 hours of time, and mean costs for the healthcare provider were 810 €. Conclusion In psoriasis, narrowband UVB is a very efficient treatment in clinical setting, whereas in atopic dermatitis, more studies are needed to determine the best dosage.

Quality of Life, Anxiety, and Depression in Patients With Early-Stage Mycosis Fungoides and the Effect of Oral Psoralen Plus UV-A (PUVA) Photochemotherapy on it

“…However, data on the impact of PUVA in other chronic diseases are limited, making it hard to compare the outcome with our results. In a recently published study ( 36 ), narrowband UVB phototherapy decreased overall DLQI values by roughly 63% in patients with psoriasis and by 47% in patients with atopic dermatitis—both sets of patients having higher DLQI values at baseline than the MF patients of this study. The QoL improvements were sustained for at least 3 months after phototherapy end although to a higher extent in the atopic dermatitis than psoriasis patients ( 36 ).…”

“…In a recently published study (36), narrowband UVB phototherapy decreased overall DLQI values by roughly 63% in patients with psoriasis and by 47% in patients with atopic dermatitisboth sets of patients having higher DLQI values at baseline than the MF patients of this study. The QoL improvements were sustained for at least 3 months after phototherapy end although to a higher extent in the atopic dermatitis than psoriasis patients (36). The screening and surveillance of anxiety and depression using HADS has not been applied in MF previously although it is reported that the early stage of the disease leads to psychological discomfort (1,3).…”

“…Improvement of QoL using oral psoralen and daylight has been described for patients with severe psoriasis experiencing a higher QoL impairment (33) than the MF patients of this study. Of note, in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, impairment, and improvement of QoL are linked to body surface extension of disease (34)(35)(36)(37)(38). Moreover, psoriasis patients with therapyinduced improvement but not complete clearance of skin may still suffer from substantial QoL impairment (34).…”

The impact of medium dose UVA1 phototherapy on pruritus, DLQI and SCORAD index in patients with atopic dermatitis

“…Chronic pruritus can dramatically reduce quality of life among patients. The Dermatology Life Questionnaire Index (DLQI) was created to reflect the subjective impact of skin disease in clinical Dermatology practice; it is widely used to assess quality of life among patients with pruritic conditions of cutaneous origins [ 30 ]. The DLQI was designed in 1994 [ 10 ].…”

“…The DLQI was designed in 1994 [ 10 ]. Significant improvements in DLQI score have previously been observed after phototherapy in patients with AD [ 30 ]. In the present treatment group, medium-dose UVA1 treatment was found to be associated with a reduction in SCORAD index, decrease of pruritus and improvement of DLQI.…”