1. A randomized comparison of narrow-band TL-01 phototherapy and PUVA photochemotherapy for psoriasis.
- Author
-
Gordon PM, Diffey BL, Matthews JN, and Farr PM
- Subjects
- Adult, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, PUVA Therapy, Psoriasis drug therapy, Psoriasis radiotherapy, Ultraviolet Therapy
- Abstract
Background: Although PUVA treatment of psoriasis is more effective than conventional or broad-band UVB phototherapy, two small studies have suggested that narrow-band or TL-01 phototherapy may have a therapeutic effect equal to PUVA. If confirmed, this would be of considerable importance as TL-01 therapy is likely to be considerably safer in the long term than PUVA., Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare PUVA with narrow-band (TL-01) phototherapy in psoriasis., Methods: We studied 100 patients with plaque-type psoriasis who were randomly allocated to twice-weekly treatment with PUVA or narrow-band UVB., Results: Clearance of psoriasis was achieved in a significantly greater proportion of patients treated with PUVA (84%) than with TL-01 (63%) (P =.018), and with significantly fewer treatments (median number of treatments for clearance with PUVA, 16.7; with TL-01, 25.3; P =.001). Only 12% of those treated with TL-01 were clear of psoriasis 6 months after finishing treatment compared with 35% for PUVA (P =.002)., Conclusion: When given twice weekly, PUVA is more effective for psoriasis than narrow-band UVB phototherapy.
- Published
- 1999
- Full Text
- View/download PDF