Evaluation of 308-nm monochromatic excimer light in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris and palmoplantar psoriasis.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 308-nm monochromatic excimer light (MEL) in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris and palmoplantar psoriasis.


METHODS
Thirty-five patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 15 patients with palmoplantar psoriasis were recruited for this study. Thirty patients with psoriasis vulgaris completed a total of 16 treatments with 308-nm MEL twice a week, and 15 patients palmoplantar psoriasis completed 25 treatments administered once weekly. The clinical response to therapy and adverse effects were recorded.


RESULTS
Patients with psoriasis vulgaris (n=30) showed a 74.6% improvement in the mean psoriasis area and severity index score after a total of 16 MEL treatments (2 x /week) with 36.7% of the patients (n=11) achieving clearance. Patients with palmoplantar psoriasis (n=15) showed a 52.5% improvement in the mean severity index score after a total of 25 MEL treatments (1 x /week) with only one patient (6.7%) achieving clearance. The MEL therapy was well tolerated with a low incidence of side effects, which included pruritus, erythema and blister formation.


CONCLUSIONS
The 308-nm MEL can be utilized as an effective and safe treatment modality for patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis vulgaris and palmoplantar psoriasis.
Han
Ling
L
Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Somani
Ally-Khan
AK
Huang
Qiong
Q
Fang
Xu
X
Jin
Yi
Y
Xiang
Lei-Hong
LH
Zheng
Zhi-Zhong
ZZ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000628:therapy*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays