AUTHOR=Ibbotson Sally H. 

TITLE=A Perspective on the Use of NB-UVB Phototherapy vs. PUVA Photochemotherapy

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 5 - 2018

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2018.00184

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2018.00184

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=Narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy and psoralen-UVA (PUVA) photochemotherapy are widely used phototherapeutic modalities for a range of skin diseases.  The main indication for NB-UVB and PUVA therapies is psoriasis, and other key diagnoses include atopic eczema, vitiligo, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and the photodermatoses.  The decision on choice of phototherapy is important and NB-UVB is usually the primary choice.  NB-UVB phototherapy is a safe and effective therapy which is usually considered when topical agents have failed.  PUVA requires prior psoralen sensitisation but also remains a highly effective mainstay therapy.  Specific indications such as pustular psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis or pityriasis rubra pilaris are more effectively treated by PUVA than NB-UVB, which may flare these conditions.  This review will provide a perspective on the main indications for use of NB-UVB and PUVA therapies and provide comparative information on these important dermatological treatments.