Modern approaches to complex treatment of patients with localized scleroderma using narrow­band phototherapy (UVB­­-spectrum) with a wave length of 311 nm

Localizeds cleroderma (LC) is a chronic multifactorial disease characterized by a long, chronic, progressive course with successive stages of inflammation, fibrosis, and atrophy. The relevance and medico-social importance of LC (Morphea disease) is determined not only by the permanent increase in the number of patients with this pathology, but also by the variety of clinical manifestations of the disease, the increase in the number of cases of a severe aggressive course, errors in diagnosis, and the lack of effective treatment methods.Objective — to increase the effectiveness of treatment of patients with various clinical forms of LC (Morfea’s disease) by including narrow-band phototherapy (UVB-spectrum) with a wave length of 311 nm into complex therapy. 
Materials and methods. 42 patients with LC (plaque and linear forms), extragenital scleroatrophic lichen and idiopathic Pazini—Pierini atrophoderma) were examined and treated. The evaluation of therapy effectiveness was based on the results of treatment of patients who were randomly divided into two clinical groups. The patients of the main group were prescribed narrow-band phototherapy (UVB spectrum) with a wavelength of 311 nm against the background of basic therapy. The patients of the comparison group were given basic therapy. 
Results and discussion. As a result of the complex treatment of patients in the main group, significant improvement was observed in 11 (32.6 %), improvement in 14 (41.2 %), stabilization of the process in 9 (26.5 %). In the patients of the comparison group, improvement was noted in 2 (25 %), stabilization of the process — in 3 (37.5 %), preservation of the negative dynamics and further progression of the process — in 3 (37.5 %). Within 12 months after the end of the course of treatment, relapses of the disease were observed in 11.8 % of patients of the main group against 63 % of people in the comparison group. 
Conclusions. The inclusion of narrow-band phototherapy (UVB-spectrum) with a wavelength of 311 nm in complex therapy increases the effectiveness of treatment and reduces the frequency of relapses in patients with various clinical forms of LC.The use of narrow-band phototherapy (UVB-spectrum) with a wave length of 311 nm in the complex therapy of LC is possible both in inpatient and outpatient settings.