EFFECTS OF WATER TEMPERATURE ON PHOTOSENSITIZATION IN BATH-PUVA THERAPY WITH 8-METHOXYPSORALEN

The pharmacokinetic aspects of bath-PUVA are not completely clarified. Therefore, we determined the phototoxic response of human skin follow ing psoralen baths at temperatures ranging from 32 degrees C to 42 deg rees C (71.6-107.6 degrees F) and UVA doses ranging from 0.5 to 5.5 J/ cm(2). The highest therapeutical photosensitization (i.e., lowest mini mal phototoxic dose) was assessed at temperatures of 37 degrees C (98. 6 degrees F) and above. Photosensitization was significantly decreased at lower temperatures. These data indicate that a bath temperature of 37 degrees C (98.6 degrees F) should be used to gain optimal therapeu tic efficiency in a clinical setting. Furthermore, in order to minimiz e the risk of adverse phototoxic effects in bath-PUVA, it is important to use a constant temperature during the psoralen bath.