The use of narrow band ultraviolet light B in the prevention and treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (A pilot study)
Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common complication of herpes zoster that is frequently unresponsive to most of the available treatment modalities. Broad band ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) has a well-known anti-inflammatory effect. Moreover, it decreases neural damage and cutaneous ner...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2011-01-01
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| Series: | Indian Journal of Dermatology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.e-ijd.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5154;year=2011;volume=56;issue=1;spage=44;epage=47;aulast=El-Nabarawy |
| _version_ | 1818546563840999424 |
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| author | Eman El-Nabarawy |
| author_facet | Eman El-Nabarawy |
| author_sort | Eman El-Nabarawy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common complication of herpes zoster that is frequently unresponsive to most of the available treatment modalities. Broad band ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) has a well-known anti-inflammatory effect. Moreover, it decreases neural damage and cutaneous nerve density. It was found that broad band UVB might have a role in the prevention and treatment of PHN. Aim: This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of narrow band UVB (nbUVB) in the treatment PHN. Patients and Methods: The study included 17 patients with distressing post herpetic neuralgia. Patients were evaluated using the Verbal Rating Scale (VRS). The patients received nbUVB sessions, three times a week, for a total of 15 sessions or until the pain disappeared. Patients were followed up for a period of 3 months after the end of therapy. Results: Using intention to treat analysis, more than 50% improvement was achieved in 6 (35.29%) and 8 (47.06%) patients, at the end of therapy and after 3 months follow up, respectively. An improvement less that 50% was achieved in 11 (64.71%) and 9 (52.94%) patients, at the end of therapy and after 3 months follow up, respectively. The pain severity assessed by the VRS significantly improved both at the end of sessions (P = 0.005) and after 3 months follow up (P = 0.005). Conclusion: nbUVB may be of beneficial use in the treatment of PHN. Limitation: Small number of patients and limited follow-up period. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T07:54:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-28d72ebdbeda452e81f1d6b8b3033bf0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0019-5154 1998-3611 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T07:54:54Z |
| publishDate | 2011-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Indian Journal of Dermatology |
| spelling | doaj.art-28d72ebdbeda452e81f1d6b8b3033bf02022-12-22T00:32:21ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsIndian Journal of Dermatology0019-51541998-36112011-01-01561444710.4103/0019-5154.77551The use of narrow band ultraviolet light B in the prevention and treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (A pilot study)Eman El-NabarawyBackground: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common complication of herpes zoster that is frequently unresponsive to most of the available treatment modalities. Broad band ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) has a well-known anti-inflammatory effect. Moreover, it decreases neural damage and cutaneous nerve density. It was found that broad band UVB might have a role in the prevention and treatment of PHN. Aim: This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of narrow band UVB (nbUVB) in the treatment PHN. Patients and Methods: The study included 17 patients with distressing post herpetic neuralgia. Patients were evaluated using the Verbal Rating Scale (VRS). The patients received nbUVB sessions, three times a week, for a total of 15 sessions or until the pain disappeared. Patients were followed up for a period of 3 months after the end of therapy. Results: Using intention to treat analysis, more than 50% improvement was achieved in 6 (35.29%) and 8 (47.06%) patients, at the end of therapy and after 3 months follow up, respectively. An improvement less that 50% was achieved in 11 (64.71%) and 9 (52.94%) patients, at the end of therapy and after 3 months follow up, respectively. The pain severity assessed by the VRS significantly improved both at the end of sessions (P = 0.005) and after 3 months follow up (P = 0.005). Conclusion: nbUVB may be of beneficial use in the treatment of PHN. Limitation: Small number of patients and limited follow-up period.http://www.e-ijd.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5154;year=2011;volume=56;issue=1;spage=44;epage=47;aulast=El-NabarawyPostherpetic neuralgianarrow band ultraviolet Bneuropathic pain |
| spellingShingle | Eman El-Nabarawy The use of narrow band ultraviolet light B in the prevention and treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (A pilot study) Indian Journal of Dermatology Postherpetic neuralgia narrow band ultraviolet B neuropathic pain |
| title | The use of narrow band ultraviolet light B in the prevention and treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (A pilot study) |
| title_full | The use of narrow band ultraviolet light B in the prevention and treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (A pilot study) |
| title_fullStr | The use of narrow band ultraviolet light B in the prevention and treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (A pilot study) |
| title_full_unstemmed | The use of narrow band ultraviolet light B in the prevention and treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (A pilot study) |
| title_short | The use of narrow band ultraviolet light B in the prevention and treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (A pilot study) |
| title_sort | use of narrow band ultraviolet light b in the prevention and treatment of postherpetic neuralgia a pilot study |
| topic | Postherpetic neuralgia narrow band ultraviolet B neuropathic pain |
| url | http://www.e-ijd.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5154;year=2011;volume=56;issue=1;spage=44;epage=47;aulast=El-Nabarawy |
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