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Bath psoralen– UVA photochemotherapy for localized scleroderma: experience from a single institute
Author(s) -
Pavlotsky Felix,
Sakka Nicole,
Lozinski Alina,
Barzilai Aviv
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.12063
Subject(s) - psoralen , medicine , puva therapy , dermatology , localized scleroderma , scleroderma (fungus) , dermis , erythema , surgery , nuclear medicine , pathology , psoriasis , dna , genetics , lichen sclerosus , inoculation , biology
Summary Background Localized scleroderma ( LS ) comprises a spectrum of sclerotic autoimmune diseases primarily affecting the dermis. Various treatment modalities have been recommended for the management of LS , but only a few studies exist regarding the efficacy of bath PUVA photochemotherapy in the treatment of LS . Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of bath PUVA photochemotherapy in the management of LS in a retrospective study. Methods Twenty‐eight patients (23 women and five men) with a diagnosis of LS , confirmed by histology, were included in the study. Patients were treated with a thrice‐weekly regimen of bath immersion in 0.2 mg/1 water solution of 8‐methoxypsoralen, followed by irradiation with UVA . Results Eleven patients (39%) showed complete remission (complete softening of the sclerotic plaques with or without postinflammatory hyper‐ or hypopigmentation) after a mean of 71 treatments (range 33–170) and a mean cumulative dose of 115 J/cm 2 (range 11–232). Partial softening and regression of the sclerotic plaques was observed in 14 patients (50%). Three patients (10.7%) showed no effect, and in none of the patients was worsening noted during treatment. Conclusions In our experience, bath PUVA photochemotherapy is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment option for LS and should be considered as one of the first‐line treatment modalities.