Vitiligo is unresponsive normally to the therapies and it is believed that it is an autoimmune disorder. Although limited success has been attained by using the photochemotherapy (PUVA) for vitiligo treatment but it requires a frequent extended course. This demonstrative study has been conducted by U.S. authors who examined the usage of narrowband UVB for vitiligo treatment as monotherapy.

7 patients were selected having vitiligo disease for this experiment, treated with narrowband UVB therapy and further 3 patients were stand by in follow ups having skin types V or IV. 75% repigmentation was achieved on the vitiligo affected area by 5 patients who were given 19 treatments (range was 11 to 22).

Other two patients responded comparatively slow and attained repigmentation of 50% and 40% after exactly 46 and 48 treatments respectively. Therapy was given on three times weekly basis and a standing of 280 mJ/cm2 was also given in addition with every therapy. 15% increment was applied in the irradiation dose at each next treatment unless development of erythema was seen in previous treatment that the dose was decreased or maintained in which case. Minimal side effects were found.

GJ Hruza

Published on 1st April 1999 in Journal Watch Dermatology