ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of topical betamethasone valerate 0.1 percent with narrowband ultraviolet B [NB-UVB] therapy in atopic dermatitis
Method: Sixty patients with AD fulfilling the inclusion criteria were entered in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group A were given betamethasone valerate 0.1 percent twice a day for 4 weeks. Group B were given NB-UVB thrice a week for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 75 percent of minimal erythema dose [MED] for the skin type III and IV. Dose was increased by 20 percent on each visit as tolerated by the patients. During treatment patients were assessed at 2[nd]and 4[th]week for betamethasone valerate and 2[nd], 4[th], 6[th] and 8[th]week for NB-UVB
Results: 84 percent patients in group A [betamethasone] showed >50 percent reduction in Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis [SCORAD] whereas 94 percent patients in group B [NB-UVB] showed >50 percent reduction in SCORAD [p=0.554]. Side effects were seen in 34 percent patients in group A and 20 percent in group B
Conclusion: Both betamethasone valerate 0.1 percent and NB-UVB are almost equal in terms of efficacy but NB-UVB is more safe than betamethasone valerate 0.1 percent