Home phototherapy as effective as office phototherapy in treating psoriasis, finds study

A recent study tested the narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy (NB-UVB) for psoriasis at home and found it to be noninferior to office treatment, based on the outcomes that matter to patients, clinicians and payers. The findings of from the LITE study suggest that home phototherapy can be an effective first-line treatment for the patients suffering from moderate to severe psoriasis.

Phototherapy or light therapy is a treatment method which involves the exposure of skin to ultraviolet light under medical supervision. It is commonly used to manage conditions like psoriasis. The patients typically undergo phototherapy sessions either at a the office of dermatologist or at home using specialized equipment. However, many challenges can possibly hinder access to office-based phototherapy like the limited availability in certain regions, the inconvenience of frequent visits and high copayments. While home phototherapy presents an important alternative, it is less frequently covered by insurance and some clinicians hesitate to recommend it.

The Light Treatment Effectiveness (LITE) study was conducted from 2019 to 2023 to address these issues. This extensive research initiative was carried forward by the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and the University of Utah, and was funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). 

The primary objective of the LITE study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness, safety and duration of treatment response between home-based and office-based narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy for treating plaque or guttate psoriasis. The study included a diverse range of skin types to provide insights that are applicable across different demographics.

The participants in the LITE study were individuals aged 12 and older who had been diagnosed with plaque or guttate psoriasis and were candidates for phototherapy. The study population included individuals with a wide spectrum of skin tones, from very fair to very darkly pigmented skin, ensuring comprehensive and inclusive findings.

The LITE study meticulously analyzed the outcomes of home-based phototherapy and compared against those of clinic-based treatments by focusing on their effectiveness, safety and the duration of the treatment response. Also, the study explored whether skin color influenced the effectiveness of phototherapy.

The findings found that home phototherapy was non-inferior to office-based treatments. Both methods demonstrated excellent effectiveness and safety in the real-world settings across all skin types. This suggests that home phototherapy can serve as a first-line treatment option for psoriasis for individuals with no prior experience with phototherapy.

The results of the LITE study advocate for broader access to phototherapy treatments which highlight the potential of home phototherapy to provide a convenient, effective and safe option for managing psoriasis. The outcomes of this study could influence healthcare policies by pushing for better insurance coverage and encouraging the clinicians to consider home phototherapy as a critical alternative for the psoriasis patients.

Source:

The LITE study. (n.d.). Psoriasis.org. Retrieved May 28, 2024, from https://www.psoriasis.org/lite-study/