The Decline of PUVA Therapy in Vietnam: Effective Treatment of Narrow Band UVB in Vietnamese Vitiligo Patients.

Abstract

AIM:

To examine the efficacy and safety of Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) in Vietnamese vitiligo patients.

METHODS:

We recruited thirty-one patients (14 males, 17 females), aged from 7 to 67 years, with both segmental vitiligo (SV) and non-segmental vitiligo (NSV), treated three times weekly with NB-UVB. The starting dose for adults from 15 years old and children less than 15 years old was 200 mJ/cm2 and 150 mJ/cm2, respectively, with 50 mJ/cm2 and 20 mJ/cm2 dose increments at each subsequent visit, respectively, until mild erythema lasting less than 24 hrs reported by patient, given for a period of 6 months. Response to therapy was assessed based on VASI score changes.

RESULTS:

Based upon our results, 38.7% (12/31) of patients achieved a very good response of more than 50% VASI changes, 41.9% (13/31) obtained a good response (VASI changed from 25 to 50%). Total good and very good response to therapy significantly increased with prolonged treatment, increasing from 19.4% to 64.5% and 80.6% after 2, 4 and 6 months, respectively. Localised NSV patients obtained good and very good response significantly more frequently than generalised NSV (55.6% versus 18.2%). Adverse effects were minimal, of which one case developed herpes simplex, and 4 cases reported mild photo burn reaction which completely disappeared after adjusting the dose.

CONCLUSION:

NB-UVB therapy is an effective and safe tool in the management of Vietnamese vitiligo patients.

• Authors: Hien Do Thi Thu, Nhung Do Thi Hong, Thuong Nguyen Van, Phuong Pham Thi Minh, Tam Hoang Van, Nghi Dinh Huu, Hao Nguyen Trong, Tro Chau Van, Trai Nguyen Ngoc, Khang Tran Hau, Marco Gandolfi, Francesca Satolli, Claudio Feliciani, Michael Tirant, Aleksandra Vojvodic, Torello Lotti
• Journal: Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciences (Open Access Maced J Med Sci) Vol. 7 Issue 2 Pg. 256-258 (Jan 30 2019) ISSN: 1857-9655 [Print] North Macedonia
• PMID: 30745974 (Publication Type: Journal Article)