Abstract | BACKGROUND: The efficacy of a phototoxic dose of ultraviolet A (UVA) after topical application of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) in the treatment of alopecia areata (AA) was evaluated previously in only one study. However, the possibility of spontaneous regrowth of hair cannot be excluded as sessions were carried out every 3 months. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of a phototoxic dose of UVA after topical application of 8-MOP in the treatment of AA resistant to other lines of treatment. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Thirty-five patients with AA were treated by topical 8-MOP application to the lesions followed by UVA irradiation using a phototoxic dose every 3 months for a maximum of four sessions. Severity grading of AA was carried out using the Severity of Alopecia Tool ( SALT) score before and after treatment. RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent of patients showed a positive treatment response (40% showed complete and 17% showed partial response) with significant improvement of SALT score. The mean cumulative UVA dose was 22±8.3 J/cm(2). Mild reversible side effects were observed in 63% of patients after the first session. CONCLUSION: Phototoxic psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy after topical application of 0.1% 8-MOP is an effective treatment option for resistant AA, with low total cumulative UVA dose, few treatment sessions, and minimal reversible side effects.
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Authors | Mostafa Mokhtar Kamel, Samar Abdallah Mohamed Salem, Hanan Hamdy M Attia |
Journal | Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine
(Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed)
Vol. 27
Issue 1
Pg. 45-50
(Feb 2011)
ISSN: 1600-0781 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 21198883
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
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Copyright | © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. |
Chemical References |
- Photosensitizing Agents
- Methoxsalen
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Alopecia Areata
(drug therapy)
- Female
- Hair
(growth & development)
- Humans
- Male
- Methoxsalen
(therapeutic use)
- Middle Aged
- Photochemotherapy
- Photosensitizing Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Statistics, Nonparametric
- Treatment Outcome
- Ultraviolet Therapy
- Young Adult
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