UVB phototherapeutic modalities. Comparison of two treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis.

BACKGROUND Combination UVB phototherapeutic regimens were introduced to improve therapeutic results and reduce cumulative UVB doses. OBJECTIVE Broadband UVB and UVB + bergamot oil (UVBB) therapies in the treatment of psoriasis were compared with regard to: efficacy, side effects, mean number of procedures, mean UVB dose, and duration of remissions. PATIENTS/METHODS One hundred and ninety three (193) patients randomly divided into two groups were treated: Group I with UVB monotherapy and Group II with UVB and bergamot oil (UVBB). RESULTS Overall assessment of the efficacy of the two treatment regimens demonstrated no statistically significant differences in either the post-therapy PASI values (t = 0.27, p = 0.786) or the duration of remissions (t = 0.22, p = 0.904). However, significant differences in the number of procedures (t = 2.3, p = 0.04) and the cumulative UVB doses were established (t = 3.4, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION UVBB phototherapy significantly reduces the UVB doses and the duration of treatment for psoriatic patients.