[UV-B phototherapy in psoriasis]

Abstract

67 patients, 41 with chronic plaque-psoriasis and 26 with acute eruptive or seborrhoic psoriasis, were treated in a stand-up unit equipped with UV-B fluorescent bulbs. 92 per cent of the latter group of patients showed satisfactory results (13 exposures, total UV-B dose: 464 mJ/cm2), whereas only 46 per cent of the patients with plaque psoriasis responded comparably (19 exposures, total UV-B dose: 994 mJ/cm2). A split comparison study of PUVA and UV-B on plaque-psoriasis revealed the superiority of PUVA in both initial treatment phase and duration of the remission. For certain types of psoriasis, UV-B phototherapy represents an alternative option. With regard to long-term hazards, however, as carcinogenicity in particular, UV-B has to be judged with the same scrutiny as PUVA.