Efficacy of Narrow-band Ultraviolet b (nbuvb) Combined with oral Acyclovir Versus oral Acyclovir alone in Preventing Postherpetic Neuralgia in Patients with Herpes zoster

Abrar Ahmad Khalid; Nadia  Iftikhar; Imran  Ahmed; Rao Muhammad Tahir  Sattar; Safoora  Naveed; Muhammad  Anjum

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-9.9625

Authors

Abrar Ahmad Khalid Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital Sargodha/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Nadia Iftikhar Department of Dermatology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
Imran Ahmed Department of Neurology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
Rao Muhammad Tahir Sattar Department of Dermatology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
Safoora Naveed Department of Dermatology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
Muhammad Anjum Department of Dermatology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-9.9625

Keywords:

Herpes Zoster, Narrow Band Ultraviolet Therapy, Post Herpetic Neuralgia

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of oral Acyclovir with narrow-band UVB (nbUVB) in preventing postherpetic neuralgia in herpes zoster patients compared to oral Acyclovir alone

Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial (IRCT20221215056829N1)

Place and Duration: of Study: was conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Pak-Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from Nov 2020 to May 2021.

Methodology: The cases were randomly assigned into two groups. The Ultraviolet Group received narrow-band ultraviolet B radiation 3 sessions per week along with standard antiviral and pain therapy. The Non-Ultraviolet Group just received the routine antiviral and pain therapy. The Verbal Rating Score was noted at the start before initiation of treatment, at the end of therapy, and at 3 months follow up. The mean Verbal Rating Score and percentage of satisfactory results were compared in the two groups.

Results: A total of 100 patients were enrolled in the study, in which 50 patients were randomly placed in the UV-Group and the other 50 in the Non-UV Group. Both groups were matched for age, gender, and mean VRS at the start of treatment. 80% of patients in the UV-Group had bearable or no pain at the end of therapy as compared to 50% in the Non-UV-Group (p-value 0.002). At three months follow up 88% of UV-Group patients had little or no pain as compared to the Non-UV Group, in which 68% had bearable pain (p-value 0.02).

Conclusions: Narrow-band ultraviolet therapy is a better approach that helps prevent painful sequelae in the short and long term.

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