Background:
There are several reports of the efficacy of broadband ultraviolet (uv) phototherapy in the treatment of pruritus associated with polycythaemia vera.
Objectives:
To evaluate whether narrowband (tl-01) uvb phototherapy is also effective in treating this condition.
Methods:
Ten patients with pruritus associated with polycythaemia vera were treated with narrowband (tl-01) uvb phototherapy. the first irradiation dose was 2/3 of the minimal erythema dose; the treatment schedule consisted of three irradiation sessions per week, with dose increments of 10% each session for skin types i and ii, and 15% for skin types iii and iv.
Results:
Patients reported a marked relief of symptoms after an average of six treatments (median cumulative dose 1851.52 mj cm-2, range 1180.4-2468.4). a complete remission of the pruritus occurred within 2-10 weeks of treatment (median cumulative dose 5371.46 mj cm-2, range 3271.2-7336.3) in eight of 10 patients. two patients had only a partial and temporary relief of pruritus after two cycles of treatment and a cumulative dose of 3271.2 mj cm-2.
Conclusions:
Narrowband uvb phototherapy is effective for treatment of pruritus associated with polycythaemia vera, and has the advantage of being less erythemogenic than broadband uvb.