Premium
Comparative study of systemic psoralen and ultraviolet A and narrowband ultraviolet B in treatment of chronic urticaria
Author(s) -
Khafagy Naziha Hafez,
Salem Samar Abdallah M.,
Ghaly Enas Guirguis
Publication year - 2013
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/phpp.12008
Subject(s) - psoralen , medicine , dermatology , ultraviolet b , puva therapy , chronic urticaria , methoxsalen , psoriasis , chemistry , dna , biochemistry
Summary Background Previous success rates of psoralen and ultraviolet A ( PUVA ) and narrowband UVB ( NB‐UVB ) in the treatment of chronic urticaria are reported in few studies with no previous reports on the comparable efficacy of both modalities in the disease. Aim We aimed to compare the efficacy of PUVA versus NB‐UVB in the treatment of chronic urticaria. Methods Twenty‐four patients with chronic urticaria were included and divided into two groups: 12 patients subjected to PUVA and 12 subjected to NB‐UVB . They were compared according to the urticaria T otal S everity S core ( TSS ) before and after treatment, cumulative dose, and side effects. Results There was a statistically significant decrease in urticaria TSS in both the NB‐UVB ‐ and PUVA ‐treated groups after than before treatment ( P < 0.05), with no significant difference between both groups regarding the percentage of improved patients and the mean decrease of urticaria TSS ( P > 0.05). Gastrointestinal upset was reported at a significantly higher percentage in the PUVA ‐treated group than in the NB‐UVB ‐treated group. Conclusion Both NB‐UVB and PUVA show comparable efficacy in the treatment of chronic urticaria with minimal reversible side effects.