Sonya Valkova1. 1. Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Pleven Medical University, 130 Dojran Str., 5800 Pleven, Bulgaria. soniderm@yahoo.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Combination UVB phototherapeutic regimens were introduced to improve therapeutic results and reduce cumulative UVB doses. OBJECTIVE:Broadband UVB and UVB + bergamot oil (UVBB) therapies in the treatment of psoriasis were compared with regard to: efficacy, side effects, mean number of procedures, mean UVB dose, and duration of remissions. PATIENTS/ METHODS:One hundred and ninety three (193) patients randomly divided into two groups were treated: Group I with UVB monotherapy and Group II with UVB and bergamot oil (UVBB). RESULTS: Overall assessment of the efficacy of the two treatment regimens demonstrated no statistically significant differences in either the post-therapy PASI values (t = 0.27, p = 0.786) or the duration of remissions (t = 0.22, p = 0.904). However, significant differences in the number of procedures (t = 2.3, p = 0.04) and the cumulative UVB doses were established (t = 3.4, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION:UVBB phototherapy significantly reduces the UVB doses and the duration of treatment for psoriatic patients.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Combination UVB phototherapeutic regimens were introduced to improve therapeutic results and reduce cumulative UVB doses. OBJECTIVE: Broadband UVB and UVB + bergamot oil (UVBB) therapies in the treatment of psoriasis were compared with regard to: efficacy, side effects, mean number of procedures, mean UVB dose, and duration of remissions. PATIENTS/ METHODS: One hundred and ninety three (193) patients randomly divided into two groups were treated: Group I with UVB monotherapy and Group II with UVB and bergamot oil (UVBB). RESULTS: Overall assessment of the efficacy of the two treatment regimens demonstrated no statistically significant differences in either the post-therapy PASI values (t = 0.27, p = 0.786) or the duration of remissions (t = 0.22, p = 0.904). However, significant differences in the number of procedures (t = 2.3, p = 0.04) and the cumulative UVB doses were established (t = 3.4, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: UVBB phototherapy significantly reduces the UVB doses and the duration of treatment for psoriaticpatients.