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The effectiveness of cyclosporine and photochemotherapy in the treatment of psoriasis: a retrospective study
Author(s) -
Zonneveld I.M.,
Witkamp L.,
Bossuyt P.M.M.,
Meinardi M.M.H.M.,
Bos J.D.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of the european academy of dermatology and venereology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1468-3083
pISSN - 0926-9959
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3083.1997.tb00508.x
Subject(s) - psoriasis , medicine , puva therapy , retrospective cohort study , complete remission , maintenance therapy , dermatology , surgery , chemotherapy
Objective In this retrospective study, the effectiveness of cyclosporine A (CsA) and photochemotherapy (PUVA) in inducing and maintaining remission has been evaluated for a 1 year period in 50 patients. Methods CsA was administered for induction of remission and continued as maintenance therapy. PUVA was given as a single course. Patients were classified into two groups: moderate psoriasis and severe psoriasis. Results Efficacy parameters showed a remission of 93% following one course of PUVA therapy versus 80% in the CsA group ( P < 0.01) in moderate psoriasis. In severe psoriasis no differences were detectable. The mean induction of remission period with CsA was 12.5 weeks and with PUVA 13.5 weeks. Nine of 25 CsA treated patients and five of 25 PUVA treated patients failed to reach a remission within a period of 16 weeks. The mean maintenance of remission was 39 weeks in the CsA group and 33 weeks in the PUVA group. Conclusion These results indicate a preferential position of PUVA therapy to treat both moderate and severe psoriasis that does not respond to topical treatment.