Comparison of narrow-band UV-B phototherapy and PUVA photochemotherapy in the treatment of psoriasis

The therapeutic effectiveness of a new fluorescent lamp, Philips TL-01, which emits a narrow peak around 311-312 nm, was compared with the currently used PUVA photochemotherapy consisting of oral 8-MOP followed 2 h later by UV-A from fluorescent lamps Philips TL-09. Comparisons of therapeutic efficacy were performed in 10 patients with widespread, symmetrically distributed psoriasis lesions. They received treatment with PUVA on one half of the body and with TL-01 light on the other half; both treatments were given twice a week. It is concluded that on the average phototherapy with narrow-band UV-B is an effective as PUVA; it is certainly more convenient and probably less carcinogenic.