Evaluation of the efficacy of topical psoralen and ultraviolet A photochemotherapy in alopecia areata

Abstract

Aim: Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects the hair follicles. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) treatment in patients with AA. Material and methods: The data of the patients with AA who were treated in phototherapy unit of our clinic between January 2009 and December 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Clinical response was named as "good response”, "moderate response” or “no response” when the new hair output is 75% and higher, 51-74%, 50% and below, respectively. Results: Thirty two patients whose ages between 3 and 59 were included to the study. Fourteen (43.8%) were female, 18 (56.3%) male patients, 9 of them were under 18 years of age. Duration of disease of the patients ranged from 6 months to 20 years. Fourteen patients had good response (43.8%), 9 patients (28.1%) had moderate response but the response to treatment could not be obtained in 9 patients (28.1%). The mean total number of sessions was 70.1 ± 32.5 and the mean total cumulative dose was 450.1 ± 284.8 J/cm2. Acute side effects of phototherapy were observed in three patients. Conclusion: Topical psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) photochemotherapy is an effective and safe treatment modality in AA

Keywords

• Alopecia areata
• phototherapy
• photochemotherapy

ALOPESİ AREATADA TOPİKAL PSORALEN VE ULTRAVİOLE A FOTOKEMOTERAPİSİNİN ETKİNLİĞİNİN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ

Abstract

Amaç: Alopesi areata (AA), saç folliküllerini
etkileyen kronik inflamatuar bir deri hastalığıdır.
Bu çalışmada AA’lı hastalarda topikal psoralen ve
ultraviyole A (PUVA) tedavisinin etkinliği ve
güvenilirliğinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır.

Gereç ve yöntemler: Ocak 2009 ve Aralık 2012
tarihleri arasında kliniğimiz fototerapi ünitesinde
AA tanısı ile topikal PUVA tedavisi gören hastalara
ait veriler retrospektif olarak incelendi. Klinik
yanıt, yeni kıl çıkışı %75 ve üzerinde ise “iyi
yanıt”, %51-74 ise “orta yanıt”, %50 ve altında ise
“yanıt yok” olarak tanımlandı.
Bulgular: Çalışmaya yaşları 3 ile 59 arasında
değişen 32 hasta dahil edildi. On dördü kadın
(%43.8), 18’i erkek (%56.3) olan hastaların 9
tanesinin yaşları 18 altındaydı. Hastalık süreleri 6
ay ile 20 yıl arasında değişmekteydi. On dört
hastada (%43.8) iyi yanıt, 9 hastada (%28.1) orta
yanıt saptandı ancak 9 hastada (%28.1) tedaviye
yanıt elde edilemedi. Hastaların total seans sayısı
ortalaması 70.1 ± 32.5 ve total kümülatif doz
ortalaması 450.1 ± 284.8 J/cm2 olarak belirlendi.
Fototerapiye bağlı akut yan etkiler sadece üç
hastada izlendi.

Sonuç: Topikal PUVA fotokemoterapisi AA’da
etkili ve iyi tolere edilen bir tedavi yöntemidir.

Keywords

• Alopesi areata
• fototerapi
• fotokemoterapi

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