Low-dose UVA1 phototherapy for proximal and acral scleroderma in systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Previous studies report the benefit of UVA1 phototherapy in treating acrosclerosis in patients with systemic sclerosis. We carried out a retrospective study to examine the effectiveness of UVA1 phototherapy in scleroderma affecting acral and proximal sites in patients with this disease. Patients with systemic sclerosis (diffuse type, n = 5; limited type, n = 3) underwent low-dose UVA1 radiation (30-40 J/cm2) thrice weekly. In all patients skin lesions improved, demonstrated by a fall in the modified Rodnan skin score ranging from 8 to 18 points in diffuse systemic sclerosis and 6 to 10 points in limited disease. This study would suggest that UVA1 phototherapy is effective for scleroderma affecting proximal and acral sites in patients with systemic sclerosis. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.