Outpatient phototherapy for psoriasis.
Using a new protocol with varied exposure increments, we found that, in 18 of 20 patients with psoriasis vulgaris who were given ultraviolet (UV)-B phototherapy three times a week, the disease completely cleared. One patient's condition substantially improved, and one patient's condition failed to respond. Ten to 38 treatments were required during a three- to 13-week period. The only topical treatment agent used was white petrolatum. The results are compared with a schedule using five treatments a week and fixed UV-B--exposure increments. Infrequent (three times weekly) treatments, avoidance of hospitalization and crude coal tar treatment, and fewer episodes of UV-radiation burn may offer advantages for selected patients. Long-term effects and maintenance requirements for this treatment regimen are not known.
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D004890:Erythema; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010577:Petrolatum / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000379:methods*
D010577:Petrolatum