Atopic Dermatitis: Early Gene Expression Changes as Predictors of Therapeutic Response to Narrow-band UVB Treatment

Patients will be scored with Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) to assess disease severity. The investigators will measure trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), take bacterial swabs for analysis of the microbiome and culture for Staphylococcus aureus and test for mutations in the filaggrin-gene by sputum samples. Blood serum samples will be taken to measure serum (s) -Immunoglobulin E, s-vitamin D status, full blood count including white cell differential and different cytokines. Any history of allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis or food allergy will be noted as well as any recent history of sun exposure, use of tanning beds or UVB-therapy.

The suberythemal dose of UVB for each patient will be established. In each patient two contralateral areas (e.g. both underarms) with eczema will be chosen, which are as similar as possible regarding distribution and severity. One area will be biopsied with a 4mm punch followed by locally treatment with nb-UVB (311nm) three times. In this way the untreated side will serve as an internal control. Both sides will be biopsied after these initial three rounds of treatment. The patients will then undergo 24 standard full-body nb-UV-treatment sessions followed by a new biopsy of the same area. Skin from non-lesional sun-protected skin from nates will also be samples prior to and after UVB-treatment.