Open AccessTreatment of psoriatic arthritis with extracorporeal photochemotherapy and conventional psoralen–ultraviolet A irradiation
Author(s) -
Vahlquist Carin,
Larsson Marianne,
Ernerudh Jan,
Berlin Gösta,
Skogh Thomas,
Vahlquist Anders
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1780390911
Subject(s) - psoralen , psoriatic arthritis , psoriasis , medicine , dermatology , ultraviolet irradiation , puva therapy , irradiation , chemistry , biochemistry , physics , nuclear physics , dna
Objective . To study the use of combined photopheresis and psoralen–ultraviolet A irradiation (PUVA) in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. Methods . Eight patients with psoriasis and sero‐negative arthritis received photopheresis for 12 weeks, followed by photopheresis plus PUVA for another 12 weeks. Clinical and laboratory examinations were performed every 3 months for up to 1 year after therapy. Results . Four patients experienced a marked improvement of joint symptoms that lasted for ≥12 months post‐therapy (74% decrease in the Ritchie articular index; P < 0.01). Prior to therapy, these patients had a higher CD4:CD8 ratio than the poor responders. Only minor laboratory changes occurred. Conclusion . A more extensive trial of photopheresis plus PUVA in psoriatic arthritis is warranted.