title: A comparative study of different treatment frequencies of psoralen and ultraviolet A in psoriatic patients with darker skin types (randomized-controlled study).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Photochemotherapy psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) is a viable option for treatment of psoriasis. However, concerns about its side effects have raised the need to change current PUVA protocols. The aim of this study is to determine whether reducing the treatment frequency of PUVA to twice/week instead of three times/week would affect the efficacy of PUVA therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 20 psoriatic patients, randomized into two groups, 10 patients in each group. The first group received two weekly sessions, the second group received three. The study lasted until complete clearance or for 12 weeks (endpoint). Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score was done prior to therapy, at mid therapy and at end of therapy (PASI final).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant different in PASI final and in the percentage of reduction of PASI score between both groups (P value >0.05) was found. However, a significant difference in the total number of sessions and the total cumulative UVA doses between both groups was found (P value <0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests reducing PUVA frequency and the cumulative UVA dose does not compromise the efficacy of PUVA, but it may improve its benefit/risk ratio. RESTRICTIONS: Few number of cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. medhatelmofty@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Medhat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Mofty
authors.forename: Hany
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El Weshahy
authors.forename: Randa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Youssef
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdel-Halim
authors.forename: Heba
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mashaly
authors.forename: Marwa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El Hawary
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005363:Ficusin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011701:PUVA Therapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D005363:Ficusin