Comparative evaluation of NBUVB phototherapy and PUVA photochemotherapy in chronic plaque psoriasis.
BACKGROUND
Psoralen UV-A (PUVA) is an established therapy for psoriasis, but there is a well-documenated risk of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Narrow-band Ultraviolet-B (NBUVB) therapy has a lower carcinogenic risk, has equal therapeutic potential and is considerably safe in the long term than PUVA.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of present study was to compare the efficacy and side-effects of PUVA and NBUVB in chronic plaque psoriasis.


METHODS
Sixty patients of chronic plaque psoriasis were taken up for the study and were randomly divided into two groups of 30 each. They were well matched in terms of age, sex, psoriasis extent and pretreatment psoriasis area severity index (PASI) scoring. One group was treated with twice-weekly narrow-band UV-B (TL-01) phototherapy and the other group received twice-weekly oral 8-Methoxsalen PUVA for a period of 3 months.


RESULTS
Both the groups achieved >75% reduction in the PASI score or complete clearance at the end of 3 months, but PUVA group patients required significantly fewer number of treatment sessions and fewer number of days to clear the psoriasis as compared to the NBUVB group, while the mean cumulative clearance dose and adverse effects were significantly lower in the NBUVB group.


CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that PUVA group patients achieved a faster clearance, but the adverse effects were significantly lower in the NBUVB group.
Dayal
Surabhi
S
Department of Dermatology, Rohtak, Haryana, India. drsurabhi.derma@gmail.com
Jain
V K
VK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008730:Methoxsalen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D008730:Methoxsalen