The Efficacy and Safety of Narrowband Ultraviolet B Phototherapy in Geriatric Patients: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Skin diseases can be one of the factors affecting the quality of life of the growing elderly population. In treating various dermatoses in the elderly, structural and physiological changes of the skin due to ageing need to be considered. Phototherapy has been proven to be a valuable modality for many skin diseases in adults. However, there is currently no study evaluating the use of phototherapy to treat skin diseases in geriatric population in Indonesia. Objective: To learn the efficacy and safety of narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy in geriatric patients. Methods: A retrospective study using data from medical records of patients aged 60 years and above that received NB-UVB phototherapy in Dermatovenereology Clinic at the Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital in 2014–2018. Results: From 34 included patients, 21 (61.7%) patients had psoriasis, 9 (26.5%) had vitiligo, and 5 (14.7%) patients had other dermatoses. Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) 75% was achieved by 52.4% psoriasis patients with a median of 22 sessions and cumulative dose of 26.6 J/cm2. Initial repigmentation was seen in 100% of vitiligo patients starting from a median of 6 sessions and a cumulative dose of 1.5 J/cm2. The side effect of erythema presented in 10 (47.6%) patients, with an event rate of 1.48% per session. Severe erythema was experienced by one vitiligo patient requiring a delay in phototherapy session. Conclusion: Phototherapy is a safe and effective modality for the geriatric population with various skin diseases, using doses and frequency similar to those of adult patients.