Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy for dermatoses seen in elderly: a real-life experience

TL;DR

This study shows that narrowband UVB phototherapy is effective and safe for treating various skin conditions in elderly patients.

Contribution

The study provides real-life evidence of NB-UVB efficacy and safety in elderly dermatoses, including less common conditions like prurigo nodularis.

Findings

NB-UVB achieved complete or partial response in 90.5% of elderly patients with various dermatoses.

Mild side effects occurred in 18.3% of patients, with no treatment discontinuations.

No significant link was found between ANA positivity and side effect development.

Abstract

Despite therapeutic advances such as biologics and small-molecule inhibitors, narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy remains essential in dermatology. In recent years, the elderly population has been increasing worldwide, so NB-UVB will be more crucial in geriatric dermatology. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NB-UVB in various dermatoses seen in elderly patients. This observational, retrospective study included patients over 65 who received NB-UVB for any dermatological disease between 2014 and 2024. We retrospectively reviewed the phototherapy and clinical follow-up forms of the patients. A total of 126 patients were included in this study. Fifty-two (41.3%) patients were male and 74 (58.7%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 71.9 ± 6.90 years. NB-UVB was administered most frequently to 30 (23.8%) of the patients with the diagnosis of generalized pruritus, 23 (18.3%) with mycosis fungoides, 20 (15.9%) with psoriasis, 15 (11.9%) with lichen planus, and 14 (11.1%) with prurigo nodularis. The mean number of sessions was 47.7 ± 21.4, and the cumulative UVB dose was 73.17 ± 49.87 J/cm2 in all patients. 68 (%54) patients achieved complete response, and 46 (%36.5) patients achieved partial response. Mild side effects were observed in 23 (18.3%) patients. None of them led to discontinuation of treatment. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) was positive in 29.4% of the patients. There was no statistically significant difference between ANA positivity and side effect development (p = 0.644). NB-UVB is an effective and safe treatment option for dermatoses such as generalized pruritus, mycosis fungoides, psoriasis, lichen planus, prurigo nodularis in the elderly population,