Phototherapy is a cornerstone in the management of various dermatological conditions, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (AD), and vitiligo. Its impact extends beyond clinical improvements, significantly enhancing patients' quality of life (QoL). However, comparative data on different phototherapy modalities and their broader effects remain limited. This review evaluated the effectiveness of phototherapy in improving QoL, addressing disease severity, and reducing psychological burden across various dermatological conditions. A review of 11 studies conducted between the years 2016 and 2024 was performed to assess the impact of phototherapy, including narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB), psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA), and medium-dose UVA1, on QoL. The included studies encompassed diverse populations and settings, employing standardized tools such as the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), and other validated scales for severity and psychological assessment. Phototherapy demonstrated significant improvements in QoL across all included studies. A meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in the DLQL score by 8.586 (95% CI: 7.394-9.778, p< 0.001). Symptom-specific relief, particularly for pruritus, further enhanced QoL, as evidenced by a 7.3-point improvement in itch-related QoL scores. Comparative analyses revealed that biological therapies had superior QoL benefits; however, phototherapy remained an effective and accessible alternative. Phototherapy significantly improved QoL in patients with chronic dermatological conditions by addressing physical symptoms, psychological burden, and disease severity. It remains a cost-effective and accessible treatment, particularly in resource-limited settings. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes, standardization of QoL assessments, and comparative cost-effectiveness with biologic therapies to optimize patient care.
Key words: Impact, phototherapy, quality of life, chronic skin conditions, systematic review.
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