Abstract | BACKGROUND: Cutaneous scleroderma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the dermal and subcutaneous connective tissue leading to sclerosis. Sclerosis of the skin can lead to dysmorphism, contractures and restrictions of movement. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate sclerosis in cutaneous scleroderma patients and to determine the efficacy of water-filtered infrared A plus visible light treatment, wIRA(+VIS), in 10 patients. METHODS: Hardness of the normal and diseased skin was measured by durometry in 10 controls and 8 patients. Moreover, circumscribed scleroderma (CS) was treated with wIRA(+VIS) irradiations in 10 patients who had not responded to conventional therapies. RESULTS: wIRA(+VIS) therapy led to a marked improvement, persistent even during long-term follow-up, in 7 out of 10 patients with CS. Of the other patients, 1 showed decreased sclerosis and disease activity and developed a worsening after cessation of therapy. In 2 further patients, where previous UVA1 treatment had failed to reduce disease activity, wIRA(+VIS) produced a slight decrease in sclerosis, but disease activity was still present. CONCLUSION: wIRA(+VIS) appears to be effective in the treatment of CS. Durometry proved to be helpful in assessing the degree of sclerosis and in documenting the response to therapy in these patients.
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Authors | V von Felbert, K Kernland-Lang, G Hoffmann, V Wienert, D Simon, T Hunziker |
Journal | Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland)
(Dermatology)
Vol. 222
Issue 4
Pg. 347-57
( 2011)
ISSN: 1421-9832 [Electronic] Switzerland |
PMID | 21757879
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel. |
Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Child
- Female
- Humans
- Infrared Rays
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Phototherapy
- Scleroderma, Systemic
(therapy)
- Treatment Outcome
- Water
(chemistry)
- Young Adult
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