Double-blind randomized trials once a week narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy in vitiligo

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is a skin pigmentation disorder, affecting approximately 1-2% population worldwide. Currently, there are wide varieties of treatment to achieve re-pigmentation, and phototherapy is one of the effective treatments. Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) is administered twice a week according to the phototherapy protocol for vitiligo. Some vitiligo patients have difficulty following this schedule, leading to decrease of patient’s compliance. Therefore, we performed study comparing the efficacy of phototherapy frequency, once a week and twice a week NB-UVB in vitiligo. Methods: This preliminary study divided 10 patients into 2 groups of 5 patients each with randomized, double-blind method. Group A was scheduled for NB-UVB phototherapy twice a week while Group B was scheduled for once a week. All patients received topical desoxymetasone cream once daily. Re-pigmentation were compared using Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI). VASI was graded as good (≥25%), moderate (10-24%), and poor ( 0.05) between both groups in terms of re-pigmentation, cumulative doses of phototherapy, and melanin index. Conclusion: In vitiligo, once a week NB-UVB phototherapy appears to be as efficacious as twice a week treatment schedule. Keywords: melanin index, narrowband ultraviolet B, phototherapy, vitiligo, vitiligo area scoring index