Effect of narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy on serum folic acid levels in patients with psoriasis.

Type:Uv phototherapy   Time:2014-12-12 15:30:47
Effect of narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy on serum folic acid levels in patients with psoriasis.
El-Saie LT1, Rabie AR, Kamel MI, Seddeik AK, Elsaie ML.
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Abstract
Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy (NB-UVB) is a widely used modality in the treatment of psoriasis and is generally 

accepted as safe in pregnancy. Previous studies have described photodegradation of serum folate after exposure to UVA 

radiation but the effect of UVB is not known. We studied the effect of NB-UVB phototherapy on serum folic acid levels in 

patients with psoriasis and the relationship between changes in serum folate levels and the total cumulative dose of NB-UVB. 

Included in the study were 30 psoriatic patients between 13 and 55 years of age. Serum folate levels were measured at 

baseline, and after exposure to 18 and 36 sessions of NB-UVB irradiation. There were significant decreases in mean serum 

folate levels after NB-UVB exposure. After exposure to 18 and 36 sessions the decreases were 19% and 27%, respectively. After 

18 sessions, the mean serum folate level had decreased in 18 patients (60%) from 8.64 ng/ml at baseline to 7.02 ng/ml (mean 

NB-UVB cumulative dose 40.02 J/cm(2); P = 0.019). After 36 sessions, the mean serum folate levels had decreased in 22 patients 

(73%) to 6.32 ng/ml (mean NB-UVB cumulative dose 118.16 J/cm(2); P = 0.002). The present study showed that high cumulative NB-

UVB doses can induce folate photodegradation and decrease serum folate levels in patients with psoriasis and that this effect 

is directly related to the total cumulative dose of NB-UVB.
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