Treatment of proriasis with systemic and bath PUVA in Razi Hospital, Tehran, 1999-2003

Background and aim: Psoriasis is one of the most common inflammatory skin disorders with a genetic background. Several treatment modalities have been used, including systemic and bath PUVA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of systemic and bath PUVA in the treatment of psoriasis in Razi Hospital.Materials and methods: This retrospective database study was done in Razi Hospital and the records of 390 psoriatic patients referred to phototherapy unit in 1999-2003 were studied. One hundred and forty nine patients were treated with systemic and 238 patients with bath PUVA.Results: The most common form of psoriasis was the plaque type and the majority of patients were male. Complete remission of disease was achieved in 20.1% of systemic PUVA and 17.2% of bath PUVA patients, usually after 20-29 sessions of phototherapy. The mean cumulative UVA dose for complete remission was 233.46 and 108.79 J/cm2 in systemic and bath PUVA groups, respectively. Relapse occurred in 33.3% and 17.07% of patients achieving complete remission in systemic and bath PUVA groups, respectively. Erythema was the most common side effect in both groups.Conclusion: Both systemic and bath PUVA are efficacious in the treatment of psoriasis. The total UVA dose needed for complete clearance was higher in systemic PUVA and relapse occurred more frequently in this group.