Narrow-Band ultraviolet B phototherapy for the treatment of Iraqi patients with uremic pruritus
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66344/jpad.v30i3.1482Keywords:
phototherapy uremic pruritusAbstract
Objective We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of NB-UVB phototherapy in relieving uremic pruritus.
Patients and Methods Over a period of 12 months, we recruited 17 patients with uremic pruritus having skin phototype III and more, aged from 21 to 67 years, 19(52.9%) females and 8(47.1%) male. They received NB-UVB, 2 sessions per week for 10 weeks. The response was assessed using 5-D itch scale.
Results There was a 60.7±29.2% reduction of 5D-itch score compared to baseline (19.53±3 versus 7.59±5.8, p<0.001). The mean cumulative dose of NB-UVB for one patient was 24.99 joule/ cm2 (1.25±0.6 J/cm2 per session). At the end of the trial, according to 5-D itch score criteria, 82.4% of patients were considered as a responder (good in 47.1%, very good in 35.3%) and after the treatment at follow up for 8 weeks, 35.7% developed pruritus again. Transient erythema was observed in 2 patients (10.5%) on phototherapy.
Conclusion In our population, with Fitzpatrick skin phototypes 3-5, NB-UVB phototherapy seems to be safe and effective choice for uremic pruritus, albeit tentative in some patients. High doses were required to achieve a satisfactory response.
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