A Dutch study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) concluded that home-based ultraviolet B (UVB) treatment for psoriasis is as effective and safe as outpatient treatment typically conducted in a physician’s office or dermatology clinic.
Traditional UVB treatment for psoriasis can be time-consuming, often requiring three trips per week, for several months, to a doctor’s office. But doctors have been resistant to at-home treatments–the study found almost a third of skin specialists thought home treatment was riskier–and some insurers have balked at the up-front cost of purchasing a home unit for psoriasis patients.
The study found, however, no discernible difference in safety or effectiveness between treatments (about 70% of patients in both groups achieved a 50% improvement in psoriasis symptoms). But according to The Guardian, those who were selected to receive at-home treatment “were twice as likely to rate their experience as excellent.”
UVB treatment, at home or in a doctor’s office, is not without risks, and in a home setting the light machine must obviously be kept away from children, as dangerous burns can result from misuse. But UVB remains one of the safest treatment options, and this study might lead dermatologists and insurers to take a fresh look at the benefits of home UVB therapy. Learn more about UVB therapy for psoriasis.
Category: Psoriasis Research, Treatment
Tags: UVB
