Abeer Attia Tawfik1. 1. Dermatology Unit, Department of Medical Applications of Lasers, National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pulsed dye laser has been used successfully in the treatment of nail psoriasis. Intense pulsed light (IPL) has been used in the treatment of plaque psoriasis using a 550-nm filter. OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of IPL in the treatment of nail psoriasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with finger and toe nail psoriasis were treated by IPL. Sessions were performed every 2 weeks for a maximum of 6 months. The Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) score was calculated at baseline and 1 month after the last treatment session. Follow-up was performed at 1, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: Patients received a mean of 8.63 ± 3.6 IPL sessions. After treatment, there was significant improvement in the nail bed and matrix (p < .0001), and in the NAPSI (p < .0001). Nail bed showed improvement by 71.2%, whereas the nail matrix improvement was only 32.2%. The total NAPSI was 82.4%. Patient follow-up revealed relapse in 3 patients after 6 months. CONCLUSION: Intense pulsed light is a promising effective modality of treatment of nail psoriasis, which is easy to use, safe, and provide a long period of remission. This was confirmed by the elicited clinical improvement, NAPSI, and patient satisfaction.
BACKGROUND: Pulsed dye laser has been used successfully in the treatment of nail psoriasis. Intense pulsed light (IPL) has been used in the treatment of plaque psoriasis using a 550-nm filter. OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of IPL in the treatment of nail psoriasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with finger and toe nail psoriasis were treated by IPL. Sessions were performed every 2 weeks for a maximum of 6 months. The Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) score was calculated at baseline and 1 month after the last treatment session. Follow-up was performed at 1, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS:Patients received a mean of 8.63 ± 3.6 IPL sessions. After treatment, there was significant improvement in the nail bed and matrix (p < .0001), and in the NAPSI (p < .0001). Nail bed showed improvement by 71.2%, whereas the nail matrix improvement was only 32.2%. The total NAPSI was 82.4%. Patient follow-up revealed relapse in 3 patients after 6 months. CONCLUSION: Intense pulsed light is a promising effective modality of treatment of nail psoriasis, which is easy to use, safe, and provide a long period of remission. This was confirmed by the elicited clinical improvement, NAPSI, and patient satisfaction.