The Effect of Phototherapy on Pruritus of Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

The purpose of this study was to confirm the efficacy of NB UVB phototherapy in alleviating uremic pruritus and investigate the association between improvement of pruritus and change of serum parameters, including routine biochemical data, immune profile and dialysis adequacy.

We would conduct a randomized study to evaluate the effect of NB UVB therapy on uremic pruritus. The intensity of pruritus will be evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) score (0 [no pruritus]-10 most severe pruritus]) and a detailed questionnaire assessing various characteristics of pruritus at baseline . The patients with the intensity of pruritus VAS score more than 5 will be randomized to narrow band UVB and control group. Phototherapy was administered to the whole body surface 2-3 sessions per week for total 18 sessions in a UV irradiation cubicle. The dose increased from 210mJ/cm2 .Doses were increased by 10 % at every session. The control group received time-matched exposures to long-wave ultraviolet light. The investigator will determine the pruritic intensity at baseline every 3 sessions by VAS score and by detailed questionnaire at baseline and after 18 sessions. The blood sample will also be collected at baseline and after treatment to determine factors associated with improvement.

A UV irradiation cubicle (HOUVA II, National Biological Corporation, OH, U.S.A.) equipped with 24 UVA lamps (F72T12/BL9/HO UVA, National Biological Corporation, OH, U.S.A. ) and 24 UVB lamps (TL100W/01 311NB UVB, Philips Company, Eindhoven, The Netherlands).

a VAS is a horizontal line, 100 mm in length. The patient marks on the line the point that they feel represents their perception of their pruritus. 0 (no pruritus) - 10 (most severe pruritus) The investigator will determine the pruritic intensity at baseline, every 3 sessions by VAS score, and by detailed questionnaire at baseline and after 18 sessions

Inclusion Criteria: Chronic kidney disease with moderate to severe uremic pruritus for longer than 2 months Exclusion Criteria: pregnancy history of photosensitivity photo-aggravated disease

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Ko MJ, Yang JY, Wu HY, Hu FC, Chen SI, Tsai PJ, Jee SH, Chiu HC. Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy for patients with refractory uraemic pruritus: a randomized controlled trial. Br J Dermatol. 2011 Sep;165(3):633-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10448.x.