Psoralen-ultraviolet A therapy vs. psoralen-ultraviolet B therapy in the treatment of plaque-type psoriasis: our experience with fitzpatrick skin type IV

BACKGROUND: Oral psoralen, when combined with UVB, shows an increased response in psoriasis. In this study, conventional psoralen-UVA (PUVA) therapy was compared with psoralen-UVB (PUVB) therapy in plaque-type psoriasis in patients with Fitzpatrick skin type IV. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Equal numbers of patients with stable, plaque-type psoriasis were treated with either PUVA (n = 22) or PUVB (n = 22), three times weekly until 90% clearance was achieved. A final evaluation was made 3 months later. RESULTS: The two groups showed no significant differences in terms of clearance of disease, mean number of exposures, or the average duration of therapy; however, the cumulative dose of UVB required for clearance was significantly lower than that of UVA. Both groups had a similar acute side-effects' profile. CONCLUSIONS: PUVB therapy is as effective as conventional PUVA in the treatment of stable, plaque-type psoriasis in patients with Fitzpatrick skin type IV. A significantly lower dose of UVB is required for clearance as compared with UVA.