Psoriasis treatment with suberythemogenic ultraviolet B radiation and a coal tar extract.

Abstract

Forty-nine patients with plaque-type psoriasis were enrolled in a randomized prospective trial that compared the efficacy of outpatient treatment with suberythemogenic doses of ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation administered with a tar oil to treatment with maximally erythemogenic UVB radiation with emollients. Seventeen percent of patients treated with tar oil and 26% of patients treated with maximally erythemogenic UVB failed to adhere to the protocol. Although the tar oil protocol seemed slightly less effective in those with more severe psoriasis, a roughly comparable fraction of patients who adhered to either protocol cleared at least 90% of psoriasis on surfaces exposed to UVB (76% vs 100%). The total dose of UVB to clearing was 44% less for patients treated with tar oil and suberythemogenic UVB. For most patients with moderate psoriasis, suberythemogenic UVB and tar oil is an effective, low-cost, and acceptable outpatient therapy.

• Authors: A Menkes, R S Stern, K A Arndt
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (J Am Acad Dermatol) Vol. 12 Issue 1 Pt 1 Pg. 21-5 (Jan 1985) ISSN: 0190-9622 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3980799 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Coal Tar

Topics

• Adult
• Coal Tar (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Photochemotherapy
• Prospective Studies
• Psoriasis (drug therapy)
• Radiotherapy Dosage
• Random Allocation