Phototherapy with Narrow-Band UVB in Adult Guttate Psoriasis: Results and Patient Assessment.

BACKGROUND

Acute guttate psoriasis (AGP) is a distinctive clinical entity with good response to treatment with narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB).

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the results of NB-UVB phototherapy in adult patients with adult guttate psoriasis.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

We carried out a prospective, open, and observational study. Patients over 18 years with more than 5% of body surface area affected were included. The PASI was assessed prior to and after treatment. The follow-up period was 18 months. After treatment, patients completed a simple questionnaire to assess their overall impression of the treatment.

RESULTS

The 67 adult patients with AGP included in this study had an initial PASI of 8.55 (SD 5.03). Patients were treated with a mean of 19.9 sessions (SD 13.5) and mean doses of 14 mJ/cm2 (SD 10.5). Of the 67 patients, 52 achieved PASI90 with 96.15% of PASI reduction, and of these, 46 (88%) maintained PASI90 during the 18 months of follow-up. Patients were very satisfied with the treatment.

DISCUSSION: AGP is a defined clinical entity with a variable course. Phototherapy with NB-UVB appears to be a very good option for treatment of AGP because of the good results obtained and patient satisfaction.