Effectiveness and safety of topical emollients in the treatment of PUVA-induced pruritus.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In this study we tried to assess the efficacy of topical emollients in the treatment of patients with PUVA-induced pruritus.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

41 patients over 18 years of age, who received PUVA treatment in the phototherapy unit, were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; Group I was administered with a 4% urea lotion and Group II was administered with liquid petrolatum. The follow-up period was minimum 4 weeks. During the first 2 weeks, patients were administered topical emollients and received PUVA treatment together. The next 2 weeks, they continued PUVA treatment without any medication.

RESULTS:

When time-dependent changes in the visual analogue scale scores for pruritus of both groups were considered, both treatment methods were found to be remarkably successful (p < 0.0001). In addition, an insignificant group-time interaction was identified (p = 0.753).

CONCLUSIONS:

Topical emollients were found to be effective in the treatment of PUVA-induced pruritus. Both forms of medication can be successfully administered and increase the patient's compliance with medication.

• Authors: Enver Turan, Mehmet Salih Gurel, Asli Turgut Erdemir, Murat Usta, Nurdan Seda Kutlu, Nurdan Yurt
• Journal: Advances in clinical and experimental medicine : official organ Wroclaw Medical University (Adv Clin Exp Med) 2013 Sep-Oct Vol. 22 Issue 5 Pg. 715-20 ISSN: 1899-5276 [Print] Poland
• PMID: 24285457 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Emollients
• Mineral Oil
• Urea

Topics

• Adult
• Emollients (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mineral Oil (therapeutic use)
• PUVA Therapy (adverse effects)
• Pruritus (drug therapy, etiology)
• Urea (therapeutic use)