Narrow-band ultraviolet B and Conventional UVB phototherapy in Psoriasis: a Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

The narrow-band (NB-UVB) was developed for use in phototherapy, as an alternative to a broad-band UVB source and to photochemotherapy, both of which have significant side effects and carry a risk of carcinogenesis. NB-UVB is a new phototherapy option that has proved to be particularly effective at clearing psoriasis vulgaris, with a reduced capacity to produce erythema. This study was designed to explore the effects of NB-UVB on psoriasis vulgaris in comparison with the conventional UVB. 73 psoriasis patients were divided into treatment group (43 patients) and control group (30 patients). The treatment group was radiated with NB-UVB while the control group radiated with conventional UVB for 6 weeks, 3 times a week; in addition, 30 healthy volunteers were selected as healthy control group. Among the 43 patients of treatment group, 11 were clinically cured after radiated with NB-UVB, and the total effective rate was 83.7 %; while only 3 were clinically cured after radiated by conventional UVB among the 30 patients of control group, with a total effective rate of 37.8%.