PUVA photochemotherapy in the treatment of psoriasis retrospective study in Qatar

ABSTRACT

PUVA alone was used on 20 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis [PS] with different clinical presentations. These psoriatics were of different age groups, skin types and nationalities. After PUVA treatment there was marked improvement or complete remission of [PS] in all patients. 95% of the patients had [PS] on their Extensors and Upper extremeties with more than one site involvement. Treatment was tolerated. Mean duration of treatment with PUVA was 10 weeks; mean dose/session was 10. 5 Joules. Mean number of sessions was 18, mean total cumulative dose [TCD] was 202.9 Joules. Mean dose for initial response was 6.29 J. Mean dose for maximal improvement was 16J. Mean number of sessions for maximal improvement was 13 sessions. PUVA treatment had no effect on all laboratory tests done in our patients. Treatment was convenient for [85%] of the patients. Psoriasis, photochemotherapy and details of our treatment protocol and its results are discussed with a review of the literature