ABSTRACT
This study aimed to evaluate disease activity of psoriasis both clinically using psoriasis area severity index [PASI] and serologically using sIL-2R and sICAM-1 by ELISA technique as well as to compare between two lines of therapy [PUVA alone and PUVA with topical steroid] in the treatment of psoriasis. The study was conducted on 40 psoriatic patients as well as ten healthy controls. The results showed that psoriatic patients had significantly higher serum level of sIL-2R and sICAM-1 and these levels were significantly decreased after PUVA therapy. These findings suggested that immunological factors played an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The two lines of therapy used in this study resulted in a significant lowering of PASI and serum levels of sIL-2R and sICAM-1. PUVA with a topical steroid was more effective treatment than PUVA alone both clinically and serologically