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High-dose UVA1 therapy for atopic dermatitis: results of a multicenter trial.

Authors :: Krutmann J
Diepgen TL
Luger TA
Grabbe S
Meffert H
Sönnichsen N
Czech W
Kapp A
Stege H
Grewe M
Schöpf E
Source :: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology [J Am Acad Dermatol] 1998 Apr; Vol. 38 (4), pp. 589-93.
Publication Year :: 1998
Abstract: Background: The results of an open, single-center study suggested that phototherapy with high doses of UVA1 radiation (UVA1R; 340-400 nm) is effective for acute, severe exacerbations of atopic dermatitis (AD).<br />Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of high-dose UVA1 phototherapy for acute, severe AD in a randomized multicenter trial in direct comparison with topical glucocorticoid therapy.<br />Methods: Patients were treated with high-dose UVA1R (10 days, 130 J/cm2/day; n = 20), topically with fluocortolone (10 days, 1 x daily; n = 17), or with UVA-UVB therapy (10 days, 1 x daily, minimal erythema dose-dependent; n = 16).<br />Results: With a clinical scoring system, significant differences in favor of high-dose UVA1R and fluocortolone therapy were observed (p < 0.0001), as compared with UVA-UVB therapy. At day 10, high-dose UVA1R was superior to fluocortolone (p < 0.002) therapy. Serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein and the blood eosinophil count were significantly reduced after high-dose UVA1 or fluocortolone, but not UVA-UVB therapy.<br />Conclusion: This study confirms the therapeutic effectiveness of high-dose UVA1 monotherapy for treatment of severe exacerbations of AD.