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Psoralen and ultraviolet A in the treatment of granuloma annulare
Author(s) -
Browne Fiona,
Turner David,
Goulden Victoria
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
photodermatology, photoimmunology and photomedicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.736
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1600-0781
pISSN - 0905-4383
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0781.2011.00574.x
Subject(s) - psoralen , clearance , medicine , granuloma annulare , puva therapy , dermatology , granulomatous disease , retrospective cohort study , surgery , psoriasis , urology , sarcoidosis , dna , genetics , biology
Background: Granuloma annulare (GA) is a benign, usually self‐limiting disease. Lesions may be localized or generalized with a tendency for generalized disease to follow a chronic course. There is evidence to support psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) in the treatment of GA, but little data on long‐term benefits. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PUVA in the treatment of GA, and to establish clearance and remission rates. Methods: We carried out a retrospective study of patients with generalized GA treated with PUVA over 13 years. Data were collected from case notes and a phototherapy database. On completion of treatment, outcome was assessed as clear, good improvement, moderate improvement and poor outcome. Follow‐up data were obtained for patients who had cleared using a postal questionnaire in addition to clinic notes. Results: Fifty per cent of courses resulted in clearance of disease, 16% in good improvement, 25% had moderate benefit and 9% had a poor outcome. Of the patients that cleared, 79% remained in remission at 6 months but only 32% were still clear 12 months following treatment. Conclusion: Our findings show clearance or good improvement of generalized GA in 66% of cases. Prolonged remission, however, occurred in less than a third of patients.