A Retrospective Comparison Between Home and in‐Office NB ‐ UVB Efficacy for Patients With Mycosis Fungoides
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: This study addresses the gap in research comparing the effectiveness between home and in-office narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy for the treatment of mycosis fungoides (MF). Elderly and disabled patients with this condition disproportionally lack access to home units due to insurance denial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review included patients diagnosed with MF or Sezary syndrome who underwent either in-office or home UVB between 2016 and 2023. Eighty-four patients used home NB-UVB, while 75 used in-office. Clinical characteristics, treatment response, and access were evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, there was no significant difference in response rates between home and in-office NB-UVB phototherapy. Subgroup analysis based on adjuvant treatment revealed a significant difference in clinical response rates for patients using NB-UVB with topicals (p = 0.008) and NB-UVB with multiple systemic therapies (p = 0.04). Financial and time constraints were the most common cause of treatment discontinuation for in-office patients (28%). CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of home NB-UVB treatment is comparable, if not superior, to in-office treatment, likely attributed to treatment ease in access and compliance. Medicare and other health insurance companies should expand coverage to include home-based phototherapy for patients with MF, a potentially fatal cancer with a relative paucity of effective alternate therapies.
DOI: 10.1111/phpp.13009
Institution: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Language: English
Subfield: Dermatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,330
OpenAlex ID: W4404432740