Phototherapy of atopic dermatitis with ultraviolet radiation

J Jekler

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• What is this paper about?

  This paper examines different types of ultraviolet light therapy (phototherapy) for treating atopic dermatitis. The researchers compared three types of UV treatment: UVA alone, UVB alone, and combined UVAB therapy, looking at both effectiveness and safety.

• How did the authors study this?

  The researchers conducted bilateral left-right comparisons on patients, treating different sides of their bodies with different types of UV radiation. They measured both objective improvements and patients' subjective experiences, while also monitoring side effects and bacterial skin flora.

• What populations did the authors study?

  The study focused on adult patients with atopic dermatitis. The severity appears to be mild to moderate, though specific severity criteria are not detailed in the abstract.

• What did the authors find?

  Combined UVAB therapy was most effective, leading to clearing or significant improvement in 90% of patients. UVA alone and UVB alone were less effective, helping about 70% of patients. Common side effects included dry skin and mild burns, particularly with UVB treatment. The cancer risk was calculated to be relatively low, with a 1.15 times increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer after 15 years of treatment.

• What conclusions can we draw?

  The authors conclude that phototherapy is an effective treatment for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, with UVAB being the most effective form. They determined that the risks associated with phototherapy are small, and UVB radiation showed beneficial anti-bacterial properties on the skin.