Long-term Durability of Narrowband Ultraviolet B-induced Repigmentation in Non-segmental Vitiligo: A Retrospective Study

ActaDVADmVNarrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy is a well-established vitiligo treatment. However, limited data exist on the long-term effects of NB-UVB-indu-ced repigmentation. This study evaluated the long-term durability of repigmentation achieved through NB-UVB phototherapy for up to 1 year in 176 patients with non-segmental vitiligo. Demographic and clinical variables, including age, gender, skin phototype, body site involvement, treatment duration, cumulative radiation dose, and clinically significant repigmentation response, were collected. Clinically significant repig-mentation was defined as ≥ 50% repigmentation of vitiligo-affected areas, while a durable response was repigmentation lasting ≥ 6 months post-treatment. Of the 176 patients, 80 (45%) achieved clinically significant repigmentation, with the highest success rates observed in the face and neck region (53%). Among responders, 76 (95%) patients maintained their response for ≥ 6 months post-treatment discontinua-tion, and 47 (59%) sustained repigmentation for > 72 months. Additionally, ≥ 50% repigmentation, longer treatment duration (> 18 months), and higher cumulative radiation dose (> 356 J/cm²) were associated with a durable repigmentation response. NB-UVB pho-totherapy provides lasting repigmentation in non-seg-mental vitiligo, with many patients maintaining results for > 6 years. Clinically significant response post-NB-UVB phototherapy, prolonged treatment duration, and cumulative radiation dose are key factors associated with long-term repigmentation.