Comparison of topical PUVA with UVA for chronic vesicular hand eczema.
Topical PUVA was compared with UVA for the treatment of chronic vesicular hand eczema in a double-blind randomized within-patient trial. Twelve of 15 patients completed 8 weeks' treatment and were followed up for 8 weeks. Both sides improved over the 8-week treatment period (p less than 0.05) and both remained substantially better objectively and subjectively at 8 weeks' follow-up. There was no statistical difference between assessments of the treated hands at any stage. Nine of the patients who completed the study answered a questionnaire up to 18 months later. In 4, eczema was healed, 3 were better on the PUVA-treated hand and 1 on the UVA-treated hand. It is possible that UVA alone is beneficial for chronic hand eczema.
Grattan
C E
CE
Skin Hospital, Birmingham, England.
Carmichael
A J
AJ
Shuttleworth
G J
GJ
Foulds
I S
IS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D011146:Eczema, Dyshidrotic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects