P09 A prospective study of Narrowband UVB (nb-UVB) Phototherapy for atopic dermatitis (AD) in children and adolescents.

Abstract

Abstract We evaluated response to thrice weekly nb-UVB for AD (maximum 40 exposures), to assess outcomes immediately post-treatment and 12 months later. Post-treatment follow up was 3 monthly for 12 months. We sub-analysed response in different ethnicities. 58 patients were recruited: 37 (64%) male, 21 (36%) female, age-range 4.1-16.9 (mean 10.6) years. Ethnicities were: White Caucasian 22 (38%), Southern Asian (Pakistani/Indian/Bangladeshi) 17 (29%), Black African/Caribbean 9 (16%), Other 10 (17%). Immediately post-treatment, EASI 75 was achieved in: Overall 49%, Caucasian 48%, Southern Asian 50%, African-Caribbean 44%, other 56%. Mean EASI reduction was: Whole group 10.0, Caucasian 12.4, Southern Asian 8.6, African-Caribbean 2.5, Other 7.5. 12 months post-treatment (compared to pre-treatment), EASI 75 was achieved in: Overall 28%, Caucasian 33%, Southern Asian 40%, African-Caribbean14%, other 13%. Mean EASI reduction was: Whole group 7.6, Caucasian 9.0, Southern Asian 8.6, African-Caribbean -2.1 (worsening), Other 8.0. Erythema was the most common side effect noted in 33% of patients, the incidence in Caucasians 50% (n=11), other 30% (n=3), African-Caribbean 22% (n=2) and Southern Asian 12% (n=2). A similar proportion achieved EASI 75 across the different skin types, however, more variation in EASI score reduction was noted in skin of colour. A lower incidence of post-treatment erythema noted in darker skin types may be due to erythema underscoring or treatment underdosing. Our study showed sustained AD improvement up to a year after stopping treatment in 28% overall, highest in Caucasian and Southern Asian patients, with greater risk of relapse noted in African-Caribbean patients.