Oral retinoid and UVB radiation: a new, alternative treatment for psoriasis on an out-patient basis.
The combined application of an oral retinoid (Ro 10-9359) and phototherapy with predominantly UVB radiation (Selective Ultraviolet Phototherapy=SUP) is a new, highly effective method of treating psoriasis. It has few side effects and can be performed on an out-patient basis. With the aid of this combined treatment we achieved good or very good improvement in 19 out of 23 patients with generalized psoriasis (=82.6%). The average number of radiation sessions required to achieve this was 22.9, and the mean total therapeutic dose (TTD) was 73 J/cm2. In a control group of 40 psoriasis patients, who received only radiation therapy, we achieved good or very good results in only 60% with an average of 26 radiation sessions and 94 J/cm2 TTD. The effect of the oral retinoid and UVB radiation therapy is apparently additive, since the retinoid does not increase the sensitivity of the skin to light.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D014801:Vitamin A; D014212:Tretinoin