Phototherapy Proven Effective for Asian Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis, Study Shows

The study used narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) in a phototherapy cabinet, with initial doses ranging from 250 to 400 mJ/cm² based on Fitzpatrick skin types II–VI. Dose increases of 10%–20% were applied based on erythema responses. Some patients received a combination of UVA and NBUVB, starting with 1 J/cm² UVA and 100 mJ/cm² NBUVB, regardless of skin type. Photochemotherapy (psoralen + UVA, or PUVA) was employed for severe hand and foot dermatitis, with initial UVA doses of 1 J/cm² and increments of 0.5–1 J/cm².

• The study included 62 children aged 4–16 years, with 60% male and 40% female participants. Most had moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

•60.3% had initial body surface area (BSA) involvement of 31%–60%, and 13.8% had BSA involvement of 61%–90%.

• Mean reductions in EASI scores were 11.4 for NBUVB and 7.9 for combined UVA and NBUVB phototherapy.

• Common side effects included pruritus, xerosis, erythema, and pain. Two patients receiving PUVA developed post-UVA burns and subsequently withdrew.

• Treatment outcomes were successful in 56.9% of patients, and significant improvements in IGA and EASI scores were noted.

• In 86.2%, compliance was good; in 12%, fair; and in 3.4%, lost to follow-up.

Phototherapy offers a lot of advantages in the management of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in children within the Asian population. Researchers highly recommend it as a second-line treatment, proving its efficacy with easily manageable side effects in comparison with oral systemic immunosuppressants.

Reference:

Chia SY, Chee EEC, Wee LWY, Koh MJA. Phototherapy for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in Singaporean children and adolescents. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2024; 40:e12986. doi:10.1111/phpp.12986.