title: Treatment of psoriasis with polyethylene sheet bath PUVA.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bath PUVA has been shown to be an effective alternative treatment for psoriasis with fewer systemic side effects than oral methoxsalen (8-MOP). The cost of 8-MOP and the need for a bath unit have prevented wider use of this treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the safety and efficacy of sheet bath PUVA by restricting the volume of the psoralen/bath water solution to 10 L with the aid of a polyethylene sheet.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-eight patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis were treated with bath PUVA in a concentration of 0.5 mg of 8-MOP per liter of water.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The group required a median of 17 baths (95% confidence interval [CI], 14-20) for clearance. Total UVA dose for the entire group was 26 J/cm2(95% CI, 18-47).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sheet bath PUVA is safe, efficient, and easy. This regimen can significantly reduce the amount of 8-MOP required, thereby resulting in a favorable cost/benefit ratio.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Streit
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wiedow
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Christophers
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001494:Baths; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008730:Methoxsalen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D008875:Middle Aged; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011829:Radiation Dosage
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011095:Polyethylenes; D008730:Methoxsalen