PUVA TREATMENT FOR ALOPECIA-AREATA - EXPERIENCE IN A TURKISH POPULATION

Background: PUVA has been suggested as an alternative treatment modali ty for resistant, diffuse alopecia areata (AA). However, there are con flicting reports on its efficacy. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of PUVA treatment of AA in a Turkish popu lation. Methods: Twenty-four patients (15 female and 9 male) suffering from extensive AA for more than 1 year were included in a retrospecti ve study. PUVA was administered to the whole body 3 times a week. Only 75-100% hair regrowth was defined as cosmetically acceptable. Results : Excellent hair regrowth was achieved in 37.5% of the patients. The t herapeutic efficiency was not related to age and sex of the patients, duration and extent of the disease (p<0.05). Conclusion: PUVA can be a n alternative therapy for patients with extensive AA independently of the duration of disease.