Pilot evaluation of supra-erythemogenic phototherapy with excimer laser in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
BACKGROUND
Phototherapy is an effective treatment for generalized plaque psoriasis, but is inconvenient and dosimetry is limited by the minimal erythema dose (MED).


OBJECTIVE
This pilot study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of excimer laser utilizing a supra-erythemogenic phototherapy strategy (phototherapy well beyond the MED dose) to treat generalized psoriasis.


METHODS
In this 9-month study, 13 patients with psoriasis involving > 10% but < 30% body surface area received laser treatment twice weekly for 12 weeks, with 6 months of post-treatment follow-up. The primary endpoint was percentage of patients achieving Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75.


RESULTS
Of the 12 patients who completed the treatment phase, 54% achieved PASI 75. During the 6-month follow-up period 83% maintained PASI 50 with no treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study had a small sample size.


CONCLUSIONS
The laser is an effective treatment with a favorable remission rate. With enhanced power in the near future, laser is likely to become more promising for generalized psoriasis.
Gattu
Shilpa
S
Irvine School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California, USA.
Pang
Mei-Lin
ML
Pugashetti
Rupa
R
Malick
Farah
F
Hong
Judith
J
Bowers
Elyn
E
Levatter
Jeffrey I
JI
Koo
John
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome