Medium-Dose UVA1 Versus Narrow-Band UVB in Atopic Dermatitis

Ruhr University of Bochum

Status

Completed

Conditions

Atopic Dermatitis

Treatments

Procedure: UVA1 phototherapy

Procedure: NB-UVB phototherapy

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT00419406

2466

Details and patient eligibility

About

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a very common disorder that is characterized by pruritic inflammatory skin lesions, with patients usually having an individual or family history of atopic diseases in their background. Phototherapy is among the first-line approaches in the management of AD. In this context, a variety of studies have shown a beneficial effect of natural or artificial UV radiation in atopic dermatitis (AD). The past ten years have seen the introduction of new phototherapeutic regimens for AD, including UVA1 and NB-UVB.UVA1 seems to be more effective than the above mentioned broadband spectra, in particular in acute severe AD. The aim of the present study is the comparison of UVA1 and NB-UVB phototherapy in the treatment of AD. Additionally, the course of several cytokines, human beta-defensins, and SMAD-proteins will be evaluated during the course of treatment.

Full description

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a very common disorder that is characterized by pruritic inflammatory skin lesions, with patients usually having an individual or family history of atopic diseases in their background (e.g., allergic asthma and rhinitis). Defective skin barrier, immunological dysfunctions (type I and IV allergy), genetic disorders, and psychological factors contribute to the pathogenesis of AD. However, among these factors, CD4+ Th cells are reported to play a particularly crucial role in the pathogenesis of AD. Phototherapy is among the first-line approaches in the management of AD. In this context, a variety of studies have shown a beneficial effect of natural or artificial UV radiation in atopic dermatitis (AD). Different broadband UV spectra (BB-UVA, BB-UVB, BB-UVA/BB-UVB) and combined treatment modalities such as balneophototherapy and PUVA have previously been proven to be effective in AD. However the past ten years have seen the introduction of new phototherapeutic regimens for AD, including UVA1 and NB-UVB.UVA1 seems to be more effective than the above mentioned broadband spectra, in particular in acute severe AD. The aim of the present study is the comparison of UVA1 and NB-UVB phototherapy in the treatment of AD. Additionally, the course of several cytokines, human beta-defensins, and SMAD-proteins will be evaluated during the course of treatment.

Enrollment

28 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Patients with chronic AD (Hanifin and Rajka, 1980); moderate to severe disease with SCORAD-index > 30 (maximum = 102).
Age > 18 years
No topical steroids (except 1% hydrocortisone) or topical/systemic antibiotics or antihistamines within the last 2 weeks, no systemic glucocorticosteroids or other immunosuppressive agents within the last 8 weeks, no phototherapy within the last 12 weeks before inclusion

Exclusion criteria

Pregnancy or lactation
Skin cancer or dysplastic naevi, photosensitive skin diseases, autoimmune diseases or relevant cardiovascular diseases
Photo-skin type I according to Fitzpatrick