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Follow‐up survey of 308‐nm laser treatment of psoriasis
Author(s) -
Rodewald Erin J.,
Housman Tamara Salam,
Mellen Beverly G.,
Feldman Steven R.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.10095
Subject(s) - psoriasis , medicine , adverse effect , patient satisfaction , dermatology , laser treatment , treatment modality , laser therapy , laser , surgery , physics , optics
Background and Objectives UVB treatment with a 308‐nm excimer laser is a new treatment modality for localized psoriasis. The purpose of this study is to assess patients' impressions and satisfaction with 308‐nm laser treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis. Study Design/Materials and Methods Telephone survey data were obtained from patients after participation in a case series study of 124 patients with mild to moderate psoriasis treated with 308‐nm UVB laser treatment for a target plaque and other lesions. The survey included information on changes in the target plaque, remission time, changes in other areas of psoriasis, satisfaction with the result, side effects of treatment, and efficacy relative to other treatments. Results Patients (55% of total) reported overall satisfaction with the treatments, and 63% of patients thought they needed additional laser treatments, including for maintenance. Subjects (25%) reported that the laser treatments were better than any other treatment they had tried. Adverse effects were mild and had either disappeared or were significantly decreased in 86% of patients. Self reported length of remission compared favorably to those for other therapies for localized disease. Conclusions UVB laser treatments provide a well‐tolerated means to clear psoriasis plaques. The treatment provides a high level of patient satisfaction. Lasers Surg. Med. 31:202–206, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.