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Phototherapy: Safe and Effective for Challenging Skin Conditions in Older Adults
Sarah W Matthews1, Kenneth Pike1, Andy J Chien1
1University of Washington, Seattle. Drs. Matthews and Pike are from the School of Nursing. Dr. Chien is from the School of Medicine. Drs. Matthews and Chien also are from Kaiser Permanente Dermatology, Bellevue, Washington.
Cutis
|August 16, 2021
Summary
This study found narrowband UVB phototherapy to be a safe and effective treatment for common skin conditions in adults aged 65 and older. Outcomes were comparable to international studies.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Geriatrics
- Photomedicine
Background:
- Dermatologic treatments for older adults require careful consideration due to age-related physiological changes.
- Evidence on the efficacy and safety of phototherapy in geriatric populations is limited.
- Phototherapy, specifically narrowband UVB, is a recognized treatment for various skin conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the most frequent dermatologic conditions treated with phototherapy in patients aged 65 years and older.
- To evaluate the effectiveness and safety profile of narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy in this demographic.
- To compare treatment outcomes with existing studies from the United Kingdom and Turkey.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of patients aged 65+ undergoing NB-UVB phototherapy.
- Data collection on treated dermatologic conditions, treatment response, and adverse events.
- Comparative analysis with two international cohorts.
Main Results:
- Identified common dermatoses treated with NB-UVB in older adults.
- Demonstrated favorable treatment effectiveness and a good safety profile for NB-UVB in this age group.
- Outcomes were consistent with findings from UK and Turkish studies.
Conclusions:
- NB-UVB phototherapy is a viable and safe therapeutic option for managing common skin diseases in older adults.
- The findings support the use of NB-UVB as an evidence-based dermatologic treatment for the geriatric population.
- International comparisons suggest consistent efficacy and safety of NB-UVB across different regions.
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