Psoriasis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Psoriasis, including details on treatment, prevention, medication, causes.

In search of an optimum dose escalation for narrowband UVB phototherapy: is it time to quit 20% increments?

Boztepe G, Akinci H, Sahin S, Karaduman A, Evans SE, Erkin G, Atakan N, Akan T, Kölemen F

Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Sihhiye, 06100, Ankara, Turkey. gboztepe@hacettepe.edu.tr

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to compare 20% with 10% to 5% incremental regimens in narrowband UVB phototherapy. STUDY PATIENTS: The study included patients with psoriasis (N = 191) with Fitzpatrick skin phototypes II and III. RESULTS: Occurrence of erythema as well as maximum and cumulative doses were higher with 20% escalations, whereas response rates and time to response did not significantly differ. LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by its retrospective nature. CONCLUSION: A 5% or 10% incremental regimen may have similar therapeutic efficacy.

Published 17 July 2006 in J Am Acad Dermatol, 55(2): 269-71.
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