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Phototherapy for Vitiligo: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Jung Min Bae1, Han Mi Jung1, Bo Young Hong2
1Department of Dermatology, St Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Korea.
JAMA Dermatology
|March 30, 2017
Summary
Phototherapy can effectively treat vitiligo, with narrowband UV-B (NBUVB) showing higher response rates than psoralen-UV-A (PUVA). Long-term treatment is recommended for better outcomes, especially for facial and neck lesions.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Photomedicine
Background:
- Vitiligo management requires effective long-term treatment strategies.
- Phototherapy is a common treatment for vitiligo, necessitating an understanding of expected response rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the treatment response of vitiligo to phototherapy.
- To provide data for managing vitiligo treatment expectations.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis of prospective studies was conducted.
- Data from 35 studies including 1428 patients undergoing narrowband UV-B (NBUVB) or psoralen-UV-A (PUVA) phototherapy were analyzed.
- Repigmentation rates were assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months.
Main Results:
- Narrowband UV-B (NBUVB) phototherapy achieved at least mild repigmentation in 75% of patients at 12 months, with marked responses in 35.7%.
- Psoralen-UV-A (PUVA) phototherapy showed at least mild responses in 61.6% of patients at 12 months.
- Marked repigmentation was most effective on the face and neck (44.2%) after NBUVB therapy.
Conclusions:
- Long-duration phototherapy is encouraged for vitiligo treatment.
- The greatest treatment response is anticipated on the face and neck.
- NBUVB phototherapy demonstrates a favorable response profile for vitiligo.