Abstract

LONDONO, Ángela; GAVIRIA V, Claudia; SANCHEZ S, María  and  ORDONEZ M, Jaime. Comparison of the effectiveness of psoralen plus ultraviolet A light (PUVA) and ultraviolet B narrow band (UVB-NB) in the treatment of psoriasis. Rev. Fac. Nac. Salud Pública [online]. 2009, vol.27, n.3, pp.322-328. ISSN 0120-386X.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation in response to activation of the immune system. The management of this condition is varied, but the therapeutic options decrease as the severity increases, and we must resort to medications or therapies that bring more unwanted side effects. Phototherapy is part of the treatments used in severe forms, the first to be introduced was the use of psoralen plus ultraviolet A light (PUVA), but it is not entirely safe therapy that can cause cataracts or even skin cancer, which precludes their use in some patients. With the advent of light therapy narrow band ultraviolet B (UVB-NB) in 1997, it opened a new spectrum of treatment alternatives for these patients, with similar characteristics in terms of effectiveness. By comparing these two types of therapies, the literature is not conclusive and leaves a host of questions about which of the two therapies is more effective. With the advent of new therapies, it is important to know the most effective, they are less expensive treatments compared with those who are coming to market.

Keywords : psoriasis; phototherapy; PUVA.

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