title: [Psoriasis. Natural versus artificial balneophototherapy].
abstract: Artificial balneophototherapy is an imitation of the natural balneophototherapy (Dead Sea climatotherapy; DSC) using highly concentrated salt solutions (25%) and UVB radiation. In 2008 the artificial balneophototherapy was included in the German healthcare system as an effective, evidence-based therapy for patients with moderate-severe psoriasis. In contrast, natural DSC is still considered a "non-standard and off-label therapy". Therefore we analyzed all studies published in the past two decades on both artificial and natural balneophototherapy comparing them in effectiveness, length of remission and practicability. Evidence-based studies on DSC showed good clinical results and long remission periods in psoriatic patients; the two methods seem comparable in effectiveness. Patients with chronic, therapy-resistant psoriasis should have access to DSC if they fail routine measures.
authors.affiliation: Haut- und Allergieklinik Hanau, Klinikum Hanau GmbH, Leimenstr. 20, 63450, Hanau, Deutschland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hammes
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Ockenfels
mesh_terms: D001452:Balneology / Q000379:methods*; D013790:Climatotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000379:methods*