W L Morison1, S Marwaha, L Beck. 1. Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins Medical School, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Phototoxicity is the most significant short-term adverse effect of PUVA therapy. OBJECTIVE: We attempted to determine the incidence and possible causes of phototoxicity of sufficient degree to cause interruption of treatment. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of 16,506 PUVA treatments given to 414 patients in two treatment centers. RESULTS: Phototoxicity occurred in 10.9% of patients and was an adverse effect in 0.3% of treatments. Problems with the treatment protocol were the main cause. CONCLUSION: Phototoxicity is a common adverse effect, and patients should be warned of this potential occurrence. Awareness of the causes may help to reduce the incidence of this problem.
BACKGROUND: Phototoxicity is the most significant short-term adverse effect of PUVA therapy. OBJECTIVE: We attempted to determine the incidence and possible causes of phototoxicity of sufficient degree to cause interruption of treatment. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of 16,506 PUVA treatments given to 414 patients in two treatment centers. RESULTS: Phototoxicity occurred in 10.9% of patients and was an adverse effect in 0.3% of treatments. Problems with the treatment protocol were the main cause. CONCLUSION: Phototoxicity is a common adverse effect, and patients should be warned of this potential occurrence. Awareness of the causes may help to reduce the incidence of this problem.
Authors: Benjamin Farahnik; Mio Nakamura; Rasnik K Singh; Michael Abrouk; Tian Hao Zhu; Kristina M Lee; Margareth V Jose; Renee DaLovisio; John Koo; Tina Bhutani; Wilson Liao Journal: Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) Date: 2016-07-29