PUVA-induced phototoxicity: incidence and causes.
BACKGROUND
Phototoxicity is the most significant short-term adverse effect of PUVA therapy.


OBJECTIVE
We attempted to determine the incidence and possible causes of phototoxicity of sufficient degree to cause interruption of treatment.


METHODS
A retrospective study was conducted of 16,506 PUVA treatments given to 414 patients in two treatment centers.


RESULTS
Phototoxicity occurred in 10.9% of patients and was an adverse effect in 0.3% of treatments. Problems with the treatment protocol were the main cause.


CONCLUSIONS
Phototoxicity is a common adverse effect, and patients should be warned of this potential occurrence. Awareness of the causes may help to reduce the incidence of this problem.
Morison
W L
WL
Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins Medical School, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Marwaha
S
S
Beck
L
L
D002985:Clinical Protocols; D017484:Dermatitis, Phototoxic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008730:Methoxsalen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D004318:Doxycycline; D008730:Methoxsalen; D008727:Methotrexate