Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: December | Volume: 6 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 258-263
Efficacy and Safety of PUVA Therapy in Extensive Psoriasis- An Indian Experience
Suchibrata Das
Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and leprosy, NRS Medical College, 138 AJC Bose Road, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, Pin- 700014
ABSTRACT
Introduction- Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, immune-mediated, debilitating skin disease, prevalent worldwide, affecting approximately 2%-3% of the global population. There are various treatment modalities available for extensive psoriasis which include Methotrexate, Cyclosporine, Retinoids, Oral PUVA (Psoralen and UV A) therapy, Biologic agents etc.
Aims and objectives - To assess the efficacy and safety profile of PUVA in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types IV and V who had severe plaque-type psoriasis.
Materials and methods - Ninety patients having plaque-type psoriasis with involvement of > 20% body surface area (BSA) were assigned for the study. Patients were treated with PUVA therapy. Treatment was continued for 10 weeks or until PASI 90 achieved, which-ever was earlier. Clinical improvement of skin lesions was assessed by measuring PASI scoring. Any side effects like were also noted.
Results – PASI-50 (Psoriasis Area Severity Index) (50% reduction in PASI score) was achieved by 81%(73/90) and 59 patients (65.55%) achieved PASI-90 (90% reduction in PASI score) . Mean dose required to achieve PASI-50 was 59.20±11.25 j/cm2 and mean dose required to achieve PASI-90 was 90.11±6.06 j/cm2 in case of PUVA group. Side effects were minimal, no withdrawal of therapy required.
Conclusion – PUVA is an effective mode of treatment in extensive chronic plaque psoriasis in skin type IV and V patients with minimal side effects.
Key words: Extensive Psoriasis, PUVA,
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