Comparative efficacy and safety of targeted narrowband ultraviolet B, 308-nm excimer laser, and 308-nm excimer lamp in vitiligo: a retrospective study

Data directly comparing targeted narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB), 308-nm excimer laser, and 308-nm excimer lamp for vitiligo are limited. We compared the efficacy and safety of these three modalities in vitiligo. In this retrospective study, we reviewed the medical records of vitiligo patients at the Photodermatology Clinic, Siriraj Hospital. Patients received either targeted NB-UVB (group A), a 308-nm excimer laser (group B), or a 308-nm excimer lamp (group C), administered two to three times per week for at least 3 months. Photographs taken before and after therapy were evaluated. The primary outcome was repigmentation, graded on a five-tier scale: poor (0-25%), fair (26-50%), good (51-75%), very good (76-90%), and excellent (91-100%). The secondary outcome was treatment-related adverse events. No statistically significant differences in efficacy were observed among the three groups, indicated by a very good to excellent response in 42.4% (group A), 17.6% (group B), and 29.4% (group C). Although group A showed higher response rates at 3 and 6 months, differences were not significant. Adverse effects were significantly more frequent in group C. All three devices demonstrated comparable efficacy and promoted rapid repigmentation. However, the excimer lamp had the highest rate of adverse effects.