UVA-1 phototherapy for the management of atopic dermatitis: a large retrospective study conducted in a low-middle income country.

Background: Medium-dose ultraviolet light A - 1 (UVA-1) phototherapy, given in short courses, has shown efficacy in atopic dermatitis flares; little is known about its use, efficacy, and side effects in prolonged exposure used in the chronic disease despite its extensive use.

Methods: A descriptive retrospective study was conducted; convenience sampling of patients with atopic dermatitis treated with UVA-1 phototherapy was made; evaluation of clinical response by SCORAD, adverse effects, and protocols used in each patient were evaluated.

Results: Patients exposed to UVA-1 phototherapy showed a decrease in the SCORAD (30.1 points) - total cumulative dose-dependent (P < 0.0001) - regardless of multiple variables studied. There were low rates of relapse and adverse effects. The most frequent doses were 30 and 60 J/cm , three times per week; patients had similar clinical responses and adverse effects in these groups independent of the other variables studied (P = 0.057).

Conclusion: UVA-1 phototherapy can be an alternative for patients with severe atopic dermatitis even at lower doses than those described in other series (30 J/cm ) and not only for acute flares. Cumulative total dose is a variable that affects the clinical response directly. Large prospective studies are needed.