Narrowband ultraviolet-B phototherapy in pityriasis lichenoides chronica.

BACKGROUND

Current knowledge about the efficacy of narrowband UVB therapy for the treatment of pityriasis lichenoides is limited.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of narrowband UVB therapy for the treatment of pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC).

METHODS

Data were retrospectively collected following a review of patient phototherapy and medical charts, and telephone interviews were performed for follow-up information.

RESULTS

The study included 25 patients (14 male, 11 female) with a mean age of 34 +/- 13 years. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination in 92% (n = 23) of the patients. The median duration of the disease was 24 months (range: 2-192 months). The median number of sessions until response was 25 (8 weeks) (range: 9-77 sessions), with a median cumulative dose of 15 J/cm(2) (range: 2-158 J/cm(2)). Complete response and partial response were achieved in 48% and 44% of the patients, respectively, while 8% of the patients achieved no response. In those patients for whom follow-up data were available (n = 17), 10 (58%) relapsed within a median of 9.5 months (range: 1-44 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that narrowband UVB is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for PLC.