Minimal Erythema Dose of Narrow Band UVB in Korean Psoriasis Patients

Rim, Jong Hyun; Choe, Yong Beom; Youn, Jai Il

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In planning narrow band UVB (NBUVB) phototherapy protocol, assessing a minimal erythema dose (MED) of NBUVB may be essential to gain optimal therapeutic results. However, there are few data regarding to the MED of NBUVB in Koreans and the results are variable according to skin types and photosensors.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed MED of NBUVB in psoriasis patients by a photometer designed for NBUVB phototesting, the relationship of skin type and ultraviolet responses.
METHODS
Forty psoriasis patients were phototested on their backs with newly developed Waldmann UV meter(R)(Waldmann Co. Germany) for NBUVB phototesting. The MED was investigated by irradiating several NBUVB doses ranging from 200 mJ/cm2 to 1500 mJ/cm2 and then was judged visually 24 hours after.
RESULTS
1.The median and mode value of MED of NBUVB in Korean psoriasis patients were 950 mJ/cm2 (35%). 2. Skin type was well correlated with the MED.
CONCLUSION
The MED value of NBUVB in our study may be useful data to set the phototherapy protocol. Skin types are related with MED value and the study is more required to know the exact relationship.