Abstract | BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVE: In the present study our purpose was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of 3 different doses of red light for ALA- PDT of AK. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with at least 3 clearly definable, mild or moderate AKs on the scalp or face entered the study. After occlusion for 4 hours with 20% ALA, one AK each was irradiated at random with a single dose of 70, 100, or 140 J/cm2. PDT-induced pain was assessed by the patients by means of a visual analog scale that graded pain intensity between 0 and 10. Follow-up examinations were performed 1 and 3 months after PDT. RESULTS: One month after PDT, the rate of complete remission (CR) was 89% for 70 J/cm2, 92% for 100 J/cm2, and 81% for 140 J/cm2. The CR rates at 3 months were 81% for 70 J/cm2, 77% for 100 J/cm2, and 69% for 140 J/cm2. No significant difference in therapeutic efficacy was found among the 3 light doses at either 1 month (P = .36) or 3 months (P = .96) after PDT. The degree of PDT-induced pain during irradiation was substantial and not statistically different (P = .06) for all 3 light doses. LIMITATIONS: The conclusions from this study are limited by the small sample size and only apply to topical ALA- PDT. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that a red light dose of 70 J/cm2 may be sufficient for effective topical ALA- PDT of disseminated, mild to moderate AK on the face and scalp.
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Authors | Sonja Radakovic-Fijan, Ulrike Blecha-Thalhammer, Harald Kittler, Herbert Hönigsmann, Adrian Tanew |
Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
(J Am Acad Dermatol)
Vol. 53
Issue 5
Pg. 823-7
(Nov 2005)
ISSN: 1097-6787 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 16243131
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Chemical References |
- Photosensitizing Agents
- Aminolevulinic Acid
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Topics |
- Aminolevulinic Acid
(therapeutic use)
- Female
- Humans
- Keratosis
(etiology)
- Male
- Photochemotherapy
(methods)
- Photosensitivity Disorders
(drug therapy)
- Photosensitizing Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Single-Blind Method
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