Broadband UVB revisited: Is the narrowband UVB fad limiting our therapeutic options?

Abstract

Broadband ultraviolet B (BB-UVB) phototherapy has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of cutaneous disorders including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, uremic pruritus and idiopathic pruritus. In the last decade, there has been a rapidly escalating process of replacing BB-UVB phototherapy units with narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) equipment, as studies have demonstrated that NB-UVB (ranging from 311 mm to 312 nm) is more efficacious in the treatment of psoriasis. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize the efficacy of BB-UVB phototherapy in the treatment of uremic pruritus, idiopathic pruritus, eosinophilic folliculitis and other inflammatory pruritic conditions. Furthermore, as highlighted in this report, there is a small but significant proportion of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis patients who do not tolerate NB-UVB but demonstrate an excellent clinical response to BB-UVB. It is critical for dermatologists to recognize the role of BB-UVB as a complement to NB-UVB phototherapy for patients who cannot tolerate or experience an inadequate therapeutic response from NB-UVB.

Key words::

• Broadband UVB
• narrowband UVB
• phototherapy
• pruritus
• psoriasis

Acknowledgements

Rupa Pugashetti and Dr Henry Lim have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Dr John Koo has been a clinical researcher, consultant, and speaker for Abbott, Allergan, Amgen, Astellas, Galderma, Genentech, JSJ, Photomedex, Roche, Warner-Chilcott and Teikoku.

Funding sources: none.