PUVA treatment for alopecia areata. Experience in a Turkish population.
BACKGROUND
PUVA has been suggested as an alternative treatment modality for resistant, diffuse alopecia areata (AA). However, there are conflicting reports on its efficacy.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of PUVA treatment of AA in a Turkish population.


METHODS
Twenty-four patients (15 female and 9 male) suffering from extensive AA for more than 1 year were included in a retrospective study. PUVA was administered to the whole body 3 times a week. Only 75-100% hair regrowth was defined as cosmetically acceptable.


RESULTS
Excellent hair regrowth was achieved in 37.5% of the patients. The therapeutic efficiency was not related to age and sex of the patients, duration and extent of the disease (p <0. 05).


CONCLUSIONS
PUVA can be an alternative therapy for patients with extensive AA independently of the duration of disease.
Sahin
S
S
Department of Dermatology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Yalçin
B
B
Karaduman
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004890:Erythema / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006197:Hair / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey