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Long-term Continuation of Psoralen and Ultraviolet-A Treatment of Psoriasis
Robert S. Stern, MD;
John W. Melski, MD
Arch Dermatol. 1982;118(6):400-403.
Abstract
• We studied the continued reliance on psoralen and ultraviolet-A (PUVA) radiation in 1,172 patients. After an average treatment period of 1.8 years, 937 (80%) patients were still receiving PUVA therapy or planned to use PUVA if their psoriasis flared. We defined both groups as patients who continue to rely on PUVA. Patients with the most extensive disease were least likely to continue receiving therapy. Among 1,079 patients with less than 70% involvement, 890 (82%) patients continued to rely on PUVA after 1.8 years. Factors associated with decreased continuation in this group included the following: age older than 60 years, fair or poor general health, multiple previous hospitalizations for treatment of psoriasis, and unusual reactions to sun exposure. Thus, the ability of PUVA to meet long-term treatment needs varies according to demographic and certain disease factors.
(Arch Dermatol 1982;118:400-403)
Author Affiliations
From the Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital (Drs Stern and Melski); the Departments of Dermatology (Drs Stern and Melski) and Medicine (Dr Melski), the Laboratory of Computer Medicine (Dr Melski), the Charles A. Dana Research Institute and HarvardThorndike Laboratory (Drs Stern and Melski), Beth Israel Hospital and Harvard Medical School; and the Center for the Analysis of Health Practices, Harvard School of Public Health (Dr Stern), Boston.
Footnotes
Accepted for publication Jan 18, 1982.
Reprint requests to Laboratory of Computer Medicine, Beth Israel Hospital, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02115 (Dr Melski).
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