Narrowband UVB
Also written as: NB-UVB — Narrowband Ultraviolet B
A form of phototherapy using ultraviolet B radiation at a specific wavelength of 311–313 nm, used to treat inflammatory skin conditions including psoriasis, vitiligo, and atopic eczema.
Full Definition
Narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy delivers UV radiation within the therapeutically active 311–313 nm waveband, which has largely superseded broadband UVB due to its superior efficacy and reduced carcinogenic risk. It is administered in a phototherapy unit using calibrated fluorescent lamps, with dosing measured in millijoules per square centimetre (mJ/cm²) or joules per square centimetre (J/cm²). Editors reviewing phototherapy protocols and session records must ensure dose units are correctly expressed and that 'narrowband UVB' is not abbreviated to 'UVB' alone without qualification. The abbreviation NB-UVB is acceptable after first-use expansion.
Usage
Usage note: Expand NB-UVB to 'narrowband UVB' on first use. Dose units should be mJ/cm² for individual sessions and J/cm² for cumulative dose. Do not abbreviate to 'UVB' without the 'narrowband' qualifier when broadband UVB is also referenced in the document.
In Context
- "The patient completed 36 sessions of narrowband UVB phototherapy with a cumulative dose of 18.4 J/cm², achieving 75% improvement in PASI score." — Phototherapy treatment summary
- "The editor verified that all references to 'UVB' in the protocol specified 'narrowband UVB' to avoid ambiguity with broadband UVB treatment arms." — Clinical trial protocol review