title: Crude Coal Tar and Ultraviolet (UV) A radiation (Modified Goeckerman Technique) in Treatment of Psoriasis.
abstract: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that has a substantial impact on the quality of life. Goeckerman's technique (GT) has been implemented for the treatment of psoriasis with high clearance rates and long periods of remission. The objective of this article was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of modified GT (crude coal tar 2.5% plus UVA) as an alternative therapeutic modality for psoriatic patients with skin types III-V. Twenty two patients with moderate, severe, and erythrodermic psoriasis were included in this study. All patients received modified GT (crude coal tar 2.5% plus UVA) six days per week for a period of 3 months. Assessment of the rate of reduction of psoriasis area severity index (PASI) was performed, as well as photographic documentation of each patient at baseline and after completion of therapy. There was a significant reduction in PASI scores after therapy in all patients (P=0.001). The rate of PASI reduction after therapy was >50% in 63.6% of patients; 27.3% of patients achieved >75% reduction and 9.1% of patients achieved 26-50% reduction. No serious side effects were reported in any of the patients. Modified GT is a safe and effective therapeutic option for patients with moderate and severe psoriasis.
authors.forename: Mohamed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: El-Darouti
authors.affiliation: Heba Ismail Gawdat, MD, 59 Street 104 , Maadi Gardens, 11431 Cairo, Egypt, heba.gawdat@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Heba I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Gawdat
authors.forename: Rehab A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hegazy
authors.forename: Amira M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tawdy
authors.forename: Marwa M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Fawzy
authors.forename: Dalia M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Abdel Halim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003033:Coal Tar / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D003033:Coal Tar