Efficacy, predictors of response, and long-term follow-up in patients with vitiligo, treated with narrowband UVB phototherapy

Background: Narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy is considered an accepted therapy for vitiligo. Objective: We sought to estimate the effectiveness of NB-UVB in patients with vitiligo, identify predictive factors of response, and assess the stability of NB-UVB-induced repigmentation. Methods: In all, 70 patients with vitiligo were treated twice weekly with NB-UVB. Results: Cosmetically acceptable (>75%) repigmentation was achieved in 34.4% of patients with lesions on the face and in 7.4% of patients with lesions on the body. Patients with phototypes III to V had a greater chance to achieve greater than 75% repigmentation on the face. Patients who responded in the first month of treatment were more likely to achieve better repigmentation rates. Repigmentation was stable in 14.3% of patients 4 years after cessation of treatment. Limitations: The study was uncontrolled. Treatment frequency was twice weekly. These results may not be representative of different treatment regimens. Conclusion: Patients with vitiligo who have lesions on the face, darker phototypes, and early response to treatment have a greater chance to achieve satisfactory repigmentation after NB-UVB phototherapy.