Impact on quality of life in vitiligo patients treated by narrow band UVB phototherapy.

Dr. Yatendra singh Chahar; Dr. Vijay kumar Sonkar; Dr. Pramod kumar Singh; Dr. Yugal Rajput

Volume : VIII, Issue : I, January - 2018

Impact on quality of life in vitiligo patients treated by narrow band UVB phototherapy.

Dr. Yatendra Singh Chahar, Dr. Vijay Kumar Sonkar, Dr. Pramod Kumar Singh, Dr. Yugal Rajput

Abstract :

Context: Vitiligo is a psychosocial problem which significantly affects quality of life in Indian scenario.

Aims: The purpose of this study is to estimate the efficacy of narrow band UVB as a treatment modality, assess the stability of disease after treatment as well as to compare the change in quality of life in patients having vitiligo, before and after treatment with narrow band UVB.

Settings and Design: A prospective, open and non–randomised study.

Methods and Material: Total 0f 54 patients have completed study aged 16–70 years with a mean age of 26.77+14.2 years. The initial dose was 300 mJ/cm 2 in adults and 150 mJ/cm 2 in children, twice weekly with NBUVB along with 20% dose increment on subsequent visits given for a maximum period of 6 months and were followed upto 6 months to determine stability of repigmentation.

Results: Mean of average no. of exposure given to the patients was 45.63+12.74 while the mean irradiation cumulative dose was 39.8 J/cm2. Mean DLQI of the vitiligo patients was 8.64+4.32 while those patients with acrofacial vitiligo had a mean DLQI of 11.78+5.61. After treatment with NBUVB, mean DLQI of all vitiligo patients was reduced to 5.86+2.15 with p<0.01, which was highly significant.

Conclusions: This study shows that phototherapy has a positive therapeutic outcome in vitiligo, especially in younger patients. Even a small, depigmented lesion in a child can be psychosocially devastating.