Long-term use of psoralens and ultraviolet A for psoriasis: evidence for efficacy and cost savings.
A 7.3-year prospective study of 1,380 patients with psoriasis who were treated with oral methoxsalen (8-methoxypsoralen) and ultraviolet A photochemotherapy (PUVA) revealed that patients who continued on PUVA therapy used inpatient hospital treatment less than one fourth as often as those who had discontinued treatment. Patients who continued to use PUVA therapy also had less extensive psoriasis than did other patients in this cohort who discontinued PUVA therapy. These findings demonstrate that PUVA is an effective outpatient therapy for severe psoriasis. The potential toxicity of PUVA treatment, which was the primary reason that one third of the study patients were concerned about their prolonged or continued treatment, must be balanced against the therapy's apparent effectiveness and relatively low cost.
D000328:Adult; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000191:economics; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014481:United States