Im. Zonneveld et al., THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CYCLOSPORINE AND PHOTOCHEMOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY, JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 9(3), 1997, pp. 232-236
Objective In this retrospective study, the effectiveness of cyclospori
ne A (CsA) and photochemotherapy (PUVA) in inducing and maintaining re
mission has been evaluated for a 1 year period in 50 patients. Methods
CsA was administered for induction of remission and continued as main
tenance therapy. PUVA was given as a single course. Patients were clas
sified into two groups: moderate psoriasis and severe psoriasis. Resul
ts Efficacy parameters showed a remission of 93% following one course
of PUVA therapy versus 80% in the CsA group (P < 0.01) in moderate pso
riasis. In severe psoriasis no differences were detectable. The mean i
nduction of remission period with CsA was 12.5 weeks and with PUVA 13.
5 weeks. Nine of 25 CsA treated patients and five of 25 PUVA treated p
atients failed to reach a remission within a period of 16 weeks. The m
ean maintenance of remission was 39 weeks in the CsA group and 33 week
s in the PUVA group. Conclusion These results indicate a preferential
position of PUVA therapy to treat both moderate and severe psoriasis t
hat does not respond to topical treatment. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B
.V.