ABSTRACT
Introduction: Psoriasis is a group of chronic, inflammatoryand proliferative condition of skin, associated withsystemic manifestations in many organ systems. The mostcharacteristic lesions consist of erythematous, scaly, sharplydemarcated indurated plaques, present particularly over theextensor surfaces and scalp). Phototherapy is one of the mostefficacious treatment options for psoriasis. New, emergingstudies are beginning to define the biological mechanismsby which phototherapy improves psoriasis- with NBUVBand psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA) as the most widely usedapplications.Material and methods: This prospective study was carriedout on 76 patients attending OPD of Rohilkhand medicalcollege and hospital in one year from November 2017 toOctober 2018. The patients were randomly divided intotwo groups;Systemic PUVA (Trimethylpsoralen+UVA) andNBUVB groups and therapy will be administered thrice perweek on non-consecutive days.Results: The initial mean PASI score was 17.43 and 17.01in group A and group B patients respectively, while posttreatment PASI score was 3.08 and 2.01 in respective groups.The average cumulative dose for 80% clearance with PUVAwas found to be 60.51 J/cm2 while with NBUVB it wasfound to be 6.76 J/cm2. Side effects were observed in 28.94%patients in group A while 5.2% patientsin group B. Amongstgroup A 18.42%, 7.8% and 2.6% patients presented witherythema, burning and vesiculations respectively while undergroup B 2.6% patients in each group presented with erythemaand burning.Conclusion: Both PUVA and NBUVB are effective for thetreatment of psoriasis vulgaris. However, NBUVB has adistinct edge over PUVA in terms of efficacy and lesser sideeffects. The advantages of NBUVB therapy over PUVAtherapy includes lack of psoralen-related side effects and lessmean cumulative dose for clearance and so, good adherence.