Cardiff University | Prifysgol Caerdydd ORCA
Online Research @ Cardiff 
WelshClear Cookie - decide language by browser settings

Validation of a semiautomated method of minimal erythema dose testing for narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy

Otman, Suliman G. H., Edwards, C., Gambles, B. and Anstey, Alexander Vincent ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6345-4144 2006. Validation of a semiautomated method of minimal erythema dose testing for narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy. British Journal of Dermatology 155 (2) , pp. 416-421. 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2006.07273.x

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Background  The most widely used method for establishing the minimal erythema dose (MED) before narrowband ultraviolet (UV) B phototherapy is time-consuming, inconvenient and may yield inconsistent results. Objectives  To assess the equivalence of MED assessment using a filtered xenon arc lamp UV source, a semiautomated MED tester, and a UV-opaque template method of MED determination with a panel of TL-01 311-nm UVB fluorescent tubes. Secondly, to gauge the current usage of MED testing, and the method used, in a large sample of U.K. phototherapy units. Thirdly, to assess variation in UV output of the semiautomated skin tester immediately after switching on to identify optimum warm-up time. Finally, to assess reproducibility of MED testing by assessing within-patient variability and interobserver variability of MED test results. Methods  Sixty-five patients about to undergo UVB phototherapy had their MED determined using three different methods. Within each patient we compared the values of MED determined by a semiautomated Durham MED tester, a panel of narrowband UVB lamps with a UV-opaque template constructed by a phototherapist, and a 310-nm filtered xenon arc lamp with a liquid light guide. MED test results were assessed by clinical evaluation using a 6500 K colour temperature examination lamp. The output of the semiautomated MED tester was measured by spectroradiometer over a period of 20 min in order to identify the time to steady output. Reproducibility of MED testing with the semiautomated MED tester was carried out in 25 normal volunteers. All MEDs were assessed by at least two independent observers. A postal questionnaire was sent to 78 U.K. phototherapy units to assess routine practice concerning MED testing prior to narrowband UVB phototherapy. Results  The semiautomated MED tester showed consistency with the panel method (r = 0·92, panel MED = −0·57 + 1·14 × Durham MED). The semiautomated MED tester produced a slightly lower MED result than the panel MED. Reproducibility tests showed high interobserver agreement (kappa value = 0·79), and high consistency for successive day testing (kappa value = 0·79). Questionnaires were returned from 67 of 78 phototherapy units (85%) and revealed that 19 units (28%) were routinely using MED testing prior to UVB therapy. Conclusions  This study has shown the Durham MED tester to be a convenient, valid and reproducible method for determining patient MED values prior to narrowband UVB phototherapy when used under carefully controlled lighting, by experienced observers.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Publication
Status: Published
Schools: Medicine
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
R Medicine > RL Dermatology
Uncontrolled Keywords: Durham minimal erythema dose tester; minimal erythema dose; narrowband ultraviolet lamp; psoriasis; xenon arc lamp
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
ISSN: 0007-0963
Last Modified: 21 Oct 2022 09:33
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/36873

Citation Data

Cited 17 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item Edit Item