Photodiagnostic services in the UK and Republic of Ireland: a British Photodermatology Group Workshop Report.

Background: Photodiagnostic investigations are essential for the accurate diagnosis of abnormal cutaneous photosensitivity and provide important information for the management of patients with photodermatoses (cutaneous photosensitivity disorders). Although photodiagnosis has been undertaken since the early 1970s, specialist services in the United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Ireland are limited and there is no formal guidance on diagnostic approach. Indeed, there is a limited literature in this area of methodology and diagnostic practice.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with atopic eczema and the influence of narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy.

Background: Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy (nbUVB) is an established treatment modality for patients with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) and is known to increase serum vitamin D levels (SVD). The relationship between SVD and AD remains unclear.

Objectives: To assess SVD and disease severity in patients with AD before and after nbUVB and establish whether a change in SVD correlates to response to nbUVB.

Ultraviolet A1 phototherapy: a British Photodermatology Group workshop report.

Whole-body ultraviolet (UV)A1 (340-400 nm) phototherapy was first introduced 30 years ago, but is currently available in the UK in only three dermatology departments. A workshop to discuss UVA1 was held by the British Photodermatology Group in May 2009, the aim of which was to provide an overview of UVA1 phototherapy and its role in practice, and to identify areas in which further studies are required. The conclusions were that UVA1 phototherapy is an effective treatment in several inflammatory skin diseases, including localized scleroderma and atopic eczema (AE); however, deficiencies and limitations exist in the published evidence base.

Psoralen and ultraviolet A in the treatment of granuloma annulare.

Background: Granuloma annulare (GA) is a benign, usually self-limiting disease. Lesions may be localized or generalized with a tendency for generalized disease to follow a chronic course. There is evidence to support psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) in the treatment of GA, but little data on long-term benefits.

Photochemotherapy for systemic sclerosis: effect on clinical and molecular markers.

Background: The cutaneous changes seen in systemic sclerosis (SSc) can result in considerable patient morbidity.

Aim: We previously reported on the beneficial effect of psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA) phototherapy in 13 patients with morphoea. We now report the findings of a study in which patients with SSc were treated with PUVA.

Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy does not influence serum and red cell folate levels in patients with psoriasis.

Background: Narrowband ultraviolet (UV) B phototherapy (nbUVB) is a widely used modality in the treatment of psoriasis and is generally accepted to be safe in pregnancy. Previous studies have described photodegradation of serum folate after exposure to UVA radiation but the effect of UVB is not known. Insufficient folate levels predispose to neural tube defects in pregnancy.

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

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/cm(2)) thrice weekly.

The spontaneous resolution of photosensitivity and contact allergy in a patient with chronic actinic dermatitis.

Chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) is an uncommon photodermatosis in which patients typically exhibit photosensitivity together with contact allergy. Improvement of the photosensitivity over time is well recognized in a proportion of patients but the concurrent resolution of contact allergy is rare. We report on a 46-year-old female with longstanding CAD who demonstrated resolution of both of these features.

Photochemotherapy for localized morphoea: effect on clinical and molecular markers.

Background: Effective treatment options for morphoea remain limited. As a result, there has been increasing interest in the role of phototherapy in the management of this condition. Aims.

Retroauricular milia en plaque: a rare presentation of lupus erythematosus.

Milia en plaque is a term used to describe an aggregation of milia occurring on an erythematous base usually localized in the retroauricular area. In most reported cases, no aetiological factors have been identified. We report the first case of milia en plaque associated with discoid lupus erythematosus occurring in the retroauricular site.

A randomized, single-blind comparison of topical clindamycin + benzoyl peroxide and adapalene in the treatment of mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris.

Background: Antibiotics are often combined with other agents to provide topical acne treatments that are effective against both inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions and minimize the development of antibiotic resistance. Retinoids and associated treatments also have anti-inflammatory activity and decrease microcomedo formation. To date, few direct comparisons of these different acne treatments have been conducted.

Microbiological effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in healthy volunteers: a comparative study using methyl aminolaevulinate and hexyl aminolaevulinate cream.

Background: Acne vulgaris is a common skin problem that affects up to 90% of adolescents. Colonization of the duct with Propionibacterium species is one of the factors implicated in the development of acne. Owing to the increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance, there has been an greater interest in the development of new methods to treat acne.

Five-year follow-up of a randomized, prospective trial of topical methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy vs surgery for nodular basal cell carcinoma.

Objective: To compare 5-year lesion recurrence rates in primary nodular basal cell carcinoma treated with topical methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (PDT) or simple excision surgery.

Design: Prospective, randomized, multicenter study.

Setting: University hospital dermatology departments.

The treatment of severe atopic dermatitis in childhood with narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy.

Background: There is a lack of data regarding the use of narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy in children with atopic dermatitis (AD). Many centres use this mode of treatment for children with AD; however, there have only been two previous studies observing the effect of NB-UVB in children with AD.

Aim: We undertook a retrospective review of children with severe eczema who had undergone NB-UVB consecutively in our department between 1999 and 2005.

The effect of dermatology consultations in secondary care on treatment outcome and quality of life in new adult patients with atopic dermatitis.

Background: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) is increasing worldwide, and many patients present to secondary care in adult life. This is a significant contribution to the workload of all dermatology departments. There are no studies investigating the impact of a dermatology consultation within secondary care.