Topical 8-methoxypsoralen increases the efficacy of narrowband ultraviolet B in psoriasis.
BACKGROUND
A combination of oral psoralen with narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB), defined as 'psoralen-narrowband UVB', was shown to have a superior efficacy than UVB alone and even a comparable efficacy to psoralen and ultraviolet A in psoriasis.


OBJECTIVE
To find out whether topical psoralen-narrowband UVB provides any additional benefit to narrowband UVB alone in psoriasis.


METHODS
Nineteen patients with plaque psoriasis were included. Phototherapy was given three times per week. Two symmetrical lesions were selected as target lesions. In the first 12 sessions of phototherapy, the target lesion on one side was treated with 1% 8-methoxypsoralen (MOP) gel 30 min before UVB radiation whereas the target lesion on the other side served as a control. Target lesion scores were assessed at baseline, third, sixth, ninth and 12th sessions. Side effects were recorded.


RESULTS
Sixteen patients completed the study. Target lesion scores decreased significantly on both sides (P<0.0001). The mean percentage of decreases was greater on the 8-MOP-applied sides compared with the control sides for all assessments, but the difference was statistically significant only at the ninth session (37.7% vs. 58.6%, P=0.043). Pigmentation was frequently seen in 8-MOP gel-applied lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical 8-MOP gel plus narrowband UVB has greater efficacy than narrowband UVB alone in psoriasis.
Seckin
Dilek
D
Department of Dermatology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. seckin_dilek@yahoo.com
Usta
Inan
I
Yazici
Zuleyha
Z
Senol
Asli
A
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008730:Methoxsalen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D055815:Young Adult
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D008730:Methoxsalen