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- Title
Low-dose UVA<sub>1</sub> phototherapy for scleroderma: what benefit can we expect?
- Authors
Pereira, N.; Santiago, F.; Oliveira, H.; Figueiredo, A.
- Abstract
Background The first reports of the application of ultravioletA1 (UVA1) phototherapy for scleroderma go back only to 1995, but since then, several studies have proven its effectiveness in this disease. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of low-dose (35 J/cm2) UVA1 phototherapy in patients with scleroderma, trying to define the subgroups that benefit most from this treatment. Methods Retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with clinical and/or histological scleroderma, undergoing low-dose UVA1 phototherapy between 2003 and 2010. Results We studied 21 patients (20 women and one man) aged 10-75 years (mean 50). Eighteen with morphea performed a total of 29 treatments, with an average of 33 sessions per treatment per patient, a mean dose of 31 J/cm2 per session and an average cumulative dose of 1662 J/cm2 (310-4270). The three patients with systemic scleroderma underwent a total of five treatments, with an average of 26 sessions per treatment per patient, a mean dose of 29.5 J/cm2 per session and an average cumulative dose of 1160 J/cm2 (660-1695). Using the modified Rodnan skin score, in the group of patients with morphea, a marked improvement was found in 77.8% patients and a moderate improvement was found in 11.1% patients. In the systemic scleroderma group, a patient with complete remission of the skin sclerosis is emphasized. Conclusions Our experience allows us to conclude that low-dose UVA1 phototherapy is a well tolerated option, with excellent results mainly in patients with morphea. This treatment is a valuable contribution to these patients, given the limited therapeutic options available.
- Subjects
PHOTOTHERAPY; SCLERODERMA (Disease) treatment; RETROSPECTIVE studies; SKIN diseases; PROGNOSIS
- Publication
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology, 2012, Vol 26, Issue 5, p619
- ISSN
0926-9959
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1468-3083.2011.04137.x