A COMPARISON OF NARROW-BAND PHOTOTHERAPY (TL-01) AND PHOTOCHEMOTHERAPY (PUVA) IN THE MANAGEMENT OF POLYMORPHIC LIGHT ERUPTION

Twenty-five patients suffering from severe polymorphic light eruption (PLE) were randomized to either photochemotherapy (PUVA) or narrow-ban d phototherapy (TL-01 UVB) treatment in early spring; patients receivi ng UVB were given placebo tablets to achieve a matching therapy proced ure. During the 4 months following treatment, patient exposure to sola r UVB was monitored with polysulphone badges. PLE occurrence, severity , and restriction of outdoor activity were recorded, using weekly diar y-sheets. Analysis of covariance on this data, using the logarithm of UVB exposure as the explanatory variable, showed no significant differ ences between the treatments. TL-01 UVB is an effective alternative to PUVA in the management of PLE.