Comparative Effectiveness of Narrowband UVB, Broadband UVB, and PUVA for Psoriasis

A review yields guidance on choice of phototherapy delivery.

Phototherapy has been employed for the treatment of psoriasis for over 80 years. Three of the most common types of phototherapy are broadband ultraviolet B (BB UVB), narrowband UVB (NB UVB), and psoralen ultraviolet A photochemotherapy (PUVA). This Cochrane review evaluated the relevant literature comparing the efficacy of these three phototherapeutic modalities. Only 13 randomized, controlled trials that compared one phototherapeutic modality to another met the inclusion criteria. By today's terms, the methodological quality of the studies varied.

In the three trials in chronic plaque-type psoriasis, response rates (percentage of participants reaching Psoriasis Area and Severity Index [PASI] 75 or overall clearance rate) for oral PUVA was e…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)