Psoralen-ultraviolet A therapy vs. psoralen-ultraviolet B therapy in the treatment of plaque-type psoriasis: our experience with fitzpatrick skin type IV.
BACKGROUND
Oral psoralen, when combined with UVB, shows an increased response in psoriasis. In this study, conventional psoralen-UVA (PUVA) therapy was compared with psoralen-UVB (PUVB) therapy in plaque-type psoriasis in patients with Fitzpatrick skin type IV.


METHODS
Equal numbers of patients with stable, plaque-type psoriasis were treated with either PUVA (n = 22) or PUVB (n = 22), three times weekly until 90% clearance was achieved. A final evaluation was made 3 months later.


RESULTS
The two groups showed no significant differences in terms of clearance of disease, mean number of exposures, or the average duration of therapy; however, the cumulative dose of UVB required for clearance was significantly lower than that of UVA. Both groups had a similar acute side-effects' profile.


CONCLUSIONS
PUVB therapy is as effective as conventional PUVA in the treatment of stable, plaque-type psoriasis in patients with Fitzpatrick skin type IV. A significantly lower dose of UVB is required for clearance as compared with UVA.
Khurshid
K
K
Department of Dermatology, King Edward Medical College/Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.
Haroon
T S
TS
Hussain
I
I
Pal
S S
SS
Jahangir
M
M
Zaman
T
T
D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D005363:Ficusin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009325:Nausea / Q000209:etiology; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000628:therapy*; D011827:Radiation; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D005363:Ficusin