Efficacy assessment of UVA1 and narrowband UVB for treatment of scalp psoriasis

Abstract

To compare the efficacy and safety of UVA1 and narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) therapy in the treatment of scalp psoriasis. Patients with scalp psoriasis were randomly assigned to either UVA1 or NB-UVB therapy. Both treatments were performed three times weekly for 6 weeks. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by using Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index (PSSI), and patient-reported quality of life (QoL) was assessed by Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Totally 68 patients completed the study. Both UVA1 and NB-UVB phototherapy achieved a statistically significant reduction of PSSI and DLQI scores at the end of the treatment period. Compared with the NB-UVB group, the significantly greater improvements occurred in UVA1 treatment group at week 3, although differences declined thereafter through week 10. Both UVA1 and NB-UVB therapy were well-tolerated in this study, and the occurrence of adverse events (AEs) was uncommon. Both UVA1 and NB-UVB phototherapy could offer relief of scalp symptoms in patients with scalp involvement. Furthermore, UVA1 treatment could improve the clinical manifestations and QoL more quickly than NB-UVB therapy.

Scalp Psoriasis: A Literature Review of Effective Therapies and Updated Recommendations for Practical Management

“…Although an unconventional therapy for psoriasis, one early randomized head-to-head study of 68 patients suggested UVA1 is as effective as narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) and may even lead to quicker response for the treatment of scalp psoriasis [ 29 ]. UVA1 was delivered to the scalp by a UVA1 emitting light system (Sigma, Shanghai, China), and NB-UVB was delivered to the scalp via a NB-UVB system with Philips TL-01 lamps (Philips, Einthoven, Netherlands).…”

“…UVA1 led to significantly greater improvements in PSSI compared with NB-UVB at week 3, but by week 10 of treatment these differences decreased. Both UVA1 and NB-UVB significantly improved Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) when compared with baseline, but this was more rapid with UVA1 [ 29 ]. UVA1 is a relatively uncommon therapy for scalp psoriasis, but it is commonly prescribed for other dermatologic conditions.…”

Efficacy and safety of 308‐nm excimer lamp in the treatment of scalp psoriasis: a retrospective study

“…Unquestionably, phototherapy is known to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation by modulating cytokine patterns and inducing T‐cell apoptosis . Similarly, the mechanism of action proposed for MEL is that an increase in the intensity of 308‐nm monochromatic light leads to attack of the target lesional T cells resulting in T‐cell apoptosis.…”

“…The sources of light in phototherapy include ultraviolet (UV) A, broadband UVB (BB‐UVB), and narrowband UVB (NB‐UVB) in the range of 311‐313 nm. Phototherapy with NB‐UVB has been proven to be an effective treatment option for scalp psoriasis …”

Evaluation of Biological Effects and Transcriptome Changes Induced by LED‐Based Narrow‐Band UVB Phototherapy

“…Furthermore, irradiated HaCaT cells showed an accumulation of cells in the S‐phase with a concomitant drop in the G‐1 phase, which suggested that NB‐UVB LED irradiation induced S‐phase arrest. Previously, pre‐G1 phase cell cycle arrest induced by a 30 mJ cm −2 dose irradiation using UVB lamp tube with peak wavelength at 298 nm was reported for HaCaT cells (41). Chen et al .…”