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Treatment of localized vitiligo with targeted broadband UVB phototherapy: a pilot study
Pravit Asawanonda1, Marisa Charoenlap, Wiwat Korkij
1Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. pravit@adsl.loxinfo.com
Background:
Narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy and 308 nm excimer laser have produced encouraging therapeutic results for vitiligo. Repigmentation of various degrees was obtained in different studies.
Materials And Methods:
Twenty-nine vitiliginous lesions from six patients were treated with targeted, broadband UV-B phototherapy. UV fluences were started at 50% of the minimal erythema dose, then increased gradually. Treatments were carried out twice weekly for 12 weeks.
Results:
Some degree of repigmentation occurred in all subjects. Responses varied among the different anatomic locations, with acral lesions achieving the least improvement. Onset of repigmentation was as early as 3 weeks of treatment in some subjects. Treatments were well tolerated, with only minimal erythema and hyperpigmentation.
Limitations:
This study was carried out in a smaller number of patients with skin types III and IV. The irradiation device was a broadband UVB device, and thus the results may not be similar to those obtained from a more monochromatic system such as an excimer laser.
Conclusions:
Targeted broadband UVB is an efficacious and safe modality for the treatment of localized vitiligo.
