UVA1 Phototherapy Is Safe and Effective for Sclerosing Skin Disorders

This therapeutic alternative is effective for those able to access it.

Systemic sclerosis, cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) share the common feature of sclerotic changes in the skin. All are associated with considerable morbidity. Treatments available for these problems are often expensive and frequently have multiple adverse effects that add to the morbidity. UVA1 phototherapy is an effective and relatively inexpensive treatment for morphea, another disease that involves skin sclerosis. Dermatologists from two institutions reviewed their experience with 83 patients, 69 with sclerosing skin conditions other than morphea, who were treated with low- (20–40 J/cm²), medium- (>40–80 J/cm²), or high-dose (>80–120 J/cm²) UVA1 phototherapy.

Most patients received treat…

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)