Abstract | BACKGROUND: A semiautomated hand-held device has been introduced in some phototherapy centres to establish the minimal erythema dose (MED) before treatment with narrowband ultraviolet (NBUV) B. OBJECTIVES: To compare the semiautomated hand-held device with the conventional method of MED testing (a UV-opaque template and a panel of UVB fluorescent tubes), using the same series of incremented doses. METHODS: Twenty-four patients referred for treatment with NBUVB phototherapy were included. Each patient had MED testing with the conventional method and the semiautomated hand-held device at the same level of the left and right back. The results were read by four investigators each time. RESULTS: The semiautomated hand-held device was a significant estimator of the MED using the conventional panel method (P < 0.001; r = 0.97). The average ratio of the hand-held MED to the conventional MED was 67%. The mean difference between the methods was 165 mJ/cm(2) . The interobserver test showed very high agreement for both methods of MED testing (Cronbach α coefficient 0.97 for the hand-held MED tester vs. 0.93 for the conventional method). CONCLUSIONS: The semiautomated hand-held device MED results were lower than that of the conventional panel method and may prolong the treatment course by 2-3 treatments. The hand-held tester is a fast and reproducible method, and may allow more phototherapy units, limited by staff and time, to do MED testing.
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Authors | M Lynch, F Carroll, A Kavanagh, B Honari, P Collins |
Journal | Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV
(J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol)
Vol. 28
Issue 12
Pg. 1696-700
(Dec 2014)
ISSN: 1468-3083 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 24456040
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
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Copyright | © 2014 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. |
Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Automation
- Eczema
(therapy)
- Equipment and Supplies
- Erythema
(diagnosis, etiology)
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Phototherapy
(adverse effects)
- Psoriasis
(therapy)
- Ultraviolet Rays
(adverse effects)
- Young Adult
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