Objectives: This study aims to assess the efficacy of UVBnb phototherapy alone,
and with methotrexate in plaque psoriasis, and comparing the side effects and relapse
between the two kinds of treatments.
Study Design: randomized experimental study.
Methods: A total of 40 psoriasis patients were included in the study, 16 patients
were treated with UVBnb and methotrexate, whereas 24 patients were treated with
UVBnb alone. PASI was calculated for every patient every 2 weeks through treatment, and
every 4 weeks after clearance. Side effects and relapse were compared between two kinds
of therapy.
Results: there were no statistical important differences between two groups of study
according to clearance, clearance rate in combination group was 75% vs. 46% in
phototherapy group, tanning and hyperpigmentation were the most common side effects
for both groups, recurrence rate was 22.7% in study patients, all of them were from
phototherapy group.
Conclusion: this study revealed that UVBnb phototherapy alone,and with
methotrexate have the same efficacy in the treatment of psoriasis, and the combined
therapy with methotrexate reduce the number of UVBnb treatments necessary for
clearance. Side effects were tolerated in both kinds of treatments. Relapse after clearance
occurs more likely with alone UVBnb phototherapy.
