title: Are topical corticosteroids useful adjunctive therapy for the treatment of psoriasis with ultraviolet radiation? A review of the literature.
abstract: Adjunctive topical corticosteroids are often administered with UV-B phototherapy or oral psoralen plus UV-A (PUVA) photochemotherapy for the treatment of psoriasis. Five studies comparing PUVA alone with PUVA and topical corticosteroid preparations showed more rapid rates of clearing and a smaller total UV-A exposure with the latter regimen. However, one study demonstrated a higher relapse rate in association with corticosteroid use. Further studies to better define these risks are recommended. Six of seven reports evaluating the use of topical corticosteroid preparations with UV-B phototherapy failed to demonstrate an advantage to this regimen when compared with UV-B phototherapy alone. Therefore, the use of a topical corticosteroid preparation with UV-B phototherapy for the treatment of psoriasis is not recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, New York (NY) University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meola
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Soter
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D011701:PUVA Therapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones