What treatment regimen for UVA-1 have you found most helpful in treating sclerotic diseases (e.g. morphea, scleroderma)?

In our department, we have had success with the following treatment regimen with UVA-1 for sclerotic diseases. The following protocol is for full-body UVA-1 (appropriate for generalized morphea, systemic sclerosis). Low dose is considered 10-30 J/cm2, medium is 30-40 J/cm2 and high is 50-60 J/cm2. We adjust the starting dose based on skin type as well as below:

• Type I &II skin – 10 J/cm2
• Type III & IV skin - 13 J/cm2
• Type V & VI skin – 15 J/cm2

Pending tolerability and response, the dose is th...

I must add a plug for nbUVB. I have found that it can be quite effective for SSc, is almost certainly safer and much easier to access for patients!

@Dr. First Last: On the topic of UVA-1, how about for lupus? Dr. Hugh McGrath has been a long-time proponent of using UVA-1 for lupus and has quite a few interesting articles going over the science and his positive results in patients. Yet, it seems to be ignored by other researchers. If it is helpful and safe, I just wonder why there is such a vacuum in further research.

Do you have any insights? We certainly need better and safer treatments for our SLE patients.

Here is a recent review of his:

Mc...

I have no experience with the use of UVA 1 for skin changes UN fibrotic illnesses. I will pull the review to learn more.