Combination of methoxsalen and ultraviolet B (UVB) versus UVB radiation alone in treatment of psoriasis: a bilateral comparison study

Abstract

A bilateral comparison study of the therapeutic effects of broad-band ultraviolet (UBV) (FS-40 Sunlamp bulbs) radiation versus UVB radiation plus methoxsalen was conducted in patients with psoriasis. Ten patients were given up to 30 exposures to the two treatments on paired, similarly affected limbs. There was no detectable difference in the response of limbs treated with UVB plus methoxsalen versus UVB phototherapy alone although all patients did show a therapeutic response. Other areas of the body treated with methoxsalen and broad-band UVA radiation (PUVA bulbs) responded more rapidly and to a greater extent than areas exposed to UVB radiation.