Treatment of vitiligo with narrow-band ultraviolet B: advantages and disadvantages

Narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) therapy for vitiligo is increasingly used in patients who are unresponsive to other forms of therapy.

This study measures levels of patient and physician satisfaction and the associated advantages and disadvantages of NB-UVB.

A retrospective chart review was conducted of the first 50 patients with vitiligo treated at the Photoderm Clinic in Ottawa, Ontario. Data were obtained from digital photographs and patient charts (n = 50).

Percent repigmentation of the face and body was very good compared with the hands and feet (poor = 0-or< 33%; good = 33-or< 66%; very good = >or= 66%). The physician and patients were satisfied with results achieved with NB-UVB therapy (very good [VG]: medical doctor [MD] 49% [95% CI 35-63], patient [Pt] 51% [95% CI 37-65]; good [G]: MD 24% [95% CI 12-36], Pt 22% [95% CI 10-34]).

NB-UVB therapy is an effective treatment for vitiligo (ie, VG, repigmentation >or= 66%) that leads to high levels of patient and physician treatment-related satisfaction. Although there are disadvantages to NB-UVB therapy, the advantages outweigh the drawbacks. An objective evaluation such as the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) is necessary to validate these findings. Additional limitations include those inherent in retrospective study design.