Comparative efficacy of psoralen - UVA photochemotherapy versus narrow band UVB phototherapy in the treatment of psoriasis

Abstract

Objective: To compare the clinical improvement in psoriasis with psoralen - UVA photochemotherapy versus narrow band UVB phototherapy alone.

Design: An interventional quasi- experimental study.

Place and duration of study: Dermatology Department, Nishtar Hospital, Multan, from May 2002 to June 2003.

Patients and methods: Forty patients with chronic plaque type psoriasis were included in the study. These were divided into two equal groups each having 20 patients. PUVA or UVB therapy was given thrice weekly. Clinical improvement in lesions was observed by decrease in the severity of erythema, scaling and plaque elevation.

Results: Clearance of psoriasis was achieved in significantly greater proportion of patients treated with PUVA (85%) than with UVB phototherapy (60%) (p=0.03814). Significantly fewer number of exposures were required for clearance with PUVA (median number of treatments=17) as compared to UVB (median number of treatments=25.5) (p=0.0002). Median cumulative dose for PUVA was 69.1 J/cm2 and for UVB was 34.15 J/cm2, respectively (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: When given thrice weekly, PUVA was more effective treatment for psoriasis than narrow band UVB phototherapy.