The Efficacy of Therapeutic Needling with Narrow-Band UVB in Patients of Stable Vitiligo

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy of therapeutic needling with narrow-band UVB in patients of stable vitiligo with type IV skin, which is the most common depigmenting skin disorder, characterized by clearly demarcated discolored patches of various shapes and sizes.Methodology: This descriptive case series was conducted on one hundred dermal skin patches of stable vitiligo in 20 patients presenting to the outdoor of Dermatology Department, Services Hospital Lahore from January- June 2019. They were subjected to therapeutic needling using 30 G disposable insulin syringe followed immediately by Narrow-Band UVB exposure thrice weekly for 6 months. The efficacy was determined by re-pigmentation of patches using "Five Grade Scale System." Patients were clinically assessed during and after completion of therapy. All the detailed information was collected through a specially designed proforma. Procedures and follow up of all the patients were conducted and SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the collected data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for present the results.Results: Out of 100 dermal patches of stable vitiligo in 20 patients, 58% patches showed grade 4 response i.e 75% or more re-pigmentation, which is therapeutically the first major step of depigmentation in this process, followed by reduction of pigmentation with further therapies.Conclusion: Therapeutic needling with Narrow-Band UVB is an effective therapy in the treatment of stable vitiligo in patients with type IV skin.