Efficacy of ultraviolet B phototherapy for psoriasis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus.
To evaluate the efficacy of ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy for the treatment of psoriasis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the response of 14 patients was compared to that of matched seronegative control individuals. All patients were evaluated prior to treatment (baseline) and after 21 treatments for the extent of total body surface area (TBSA) involvement and the quantification of scale, erythema, and thickness of  plaques using a scale of 0 (absent) to 4 (severe). The only concomitant medication allowed was salicylic acid in petrolatum. The cumulative score for scale, erythema, and thickness improved 1.9 +/- 0.5 [mean +/- standard error of mean (SEM)] in the HIV group and 2.4 +/- 0.3 in controls. There was 40.9 +/- 7.3% reduction of TBSA involvement in the former and 38.4 +/- 7.6% reduction in the latter group. None of the differences was statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference in the response to therapy among various stages of immunosuppression in the HIV group. There was also no deterioration of immune status in this group. UVB phototherapy is an effective treatment for psoriasis in patients infected with HIV. The response is identical to that of matched control individuals.
Fotiades
J
J
Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, NY 10016, USA.
Lim
H W
HW
Jiang
S B
SB
Soter
N A
NA
Sanchez
M
M
Moy
J
J
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001830:Body Surface Area; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003873:Dermatitis, Exfoliative / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D004890:Erythema / Q000473:pathology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012459:Salicylates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020156:Salicylic Acid; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000145:classification; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D012459:Salicylates; D015215:Zidovudine; D020156:Salicylic Acid