https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1300-9840
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Abstract
Background
Trends in phototherapy utilization including its main clinical indications were last characterized by Luersen et al. for the time period of 1997–2010. In this study, we update data on the use of phototherapy in the United States from 2015 to 2018.
Methods
We queried the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) data on the number of phototherapy visits as well as demographics and associated dermatoses.
Results
There were approximately 1.31 million outpatient phototherapy visits during the study period with a decreasing trend over time. Leading indications for phototherapy were dermatitis not otherwise specified (NOS), (25.7%) followed by atopic dermatitis (AD) (11.7%), and pruritus (9.7%).
Conclusion
There is a downtrend in the use of phototherapy from 2015 to 2018. Psoriasis is no longer the main indication for phototherapy, which may be due to the advent of highly effective novel biologics.
Disclosure statement
Dr. Wu has been an investigator, consultant, or speaker for AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Arcutis, Aristea Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dermavant, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Mindera, Novartis, Regeneron, Sanofi Genzyme, Solius, Sun Pharmaceutical, UCB, Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC, and Zerigo Health. Other authors have no conflict of interests to disclose.