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Phototherapy is a highly effective treatment for psoriasis. One of the major factors limiting its use is that phototherapy facilities are not available everywhere. To determine whether commercial sun tanning units are effective, these authors conducted an open study of 20 adults with stable plaque psoriasis.
A high-intensity UVA lamp with 4.6% of its total output as UVB was used as the light source. Patients received 3 to 5 treatments per week for 6 weeks, averaging a total of 19. Sixteen subjects had a clinical response, with a mean reduction in the Psoriasis Area Severity Index of 35%. None of the patients cleared completely. Episodes of mild burning occurred in 35% of subjects, and itching in 15%. Subjects were satisfied with the treatmen…