key: cord-0840088-weif2fe5
authors: Lim, Henry W.; Feldman, Steve R.; Van Voorhees, Abby S.; Gelfand, Joel M.
title: Response to: “Successful implementation of phototherapy guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic”
date: 2021-08-14
journal: J Am Acad Dermatol
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2021.08.003
sha: 9136469ff8305a13fec149265c1940bd9d79123a
doc_id: 840088
cord_uid: weif2fe5

nan

Response to: ''Successful implementation of phototherapy guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic''

To the Editor: In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, guidance on delivering phototherapy was published to ensure the safety of patients and staff. 1 It was developed based on the collective experience of the authors who supervised active phototherapy centers in 4 institutions; the recommendations have been successfully implemented in those institutions.

In this issue of the Journal, Dragan et al 2 demonstrated that following the guidance, phototherapy was safely delivered between July 1, 2020, and January 1, 2021, to 36 patients covering 440 appointments. While the number of patients was small, it is reassuring that implementing the recommendations in a phototherapy unit located in a safety-net hospital in New York City resulted in no surge of SARS-CoV-2 infection among their patients. However, we also note the concern of Dragan et al 2 about barriers to access for home phototherapy. Therefore, we are conducting the Light Treatment Effectiveness (LITE, NCT03726489) study, a pragmatic trial of home vs office-based phototherapy for psoriasis in 1050 patients across the US stratified by skin type, to improve our understanding of the effectiveness of home phototherapy for psoriasis with the ultimate goal of making the delivery of phototherapy more patient-centered. We encourage dermatologists, particularly those who treat diverse skin types, to join this important initiative (www.thelitestudy.com).

With cases primarily caused by the SARS-CoV-2 variant still increasing, continued adherence to this practical guide is recommended. 

Recommendations for phototherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Successful implementation of phototherapy guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic

None disclosed.