UVA as Effective as PUVA for Polymorphic Light Eruption

The most effective management of polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) is prophylactic treatment with ultraviolet radiation. Psoralens plus ultraviolet radiation (PUVA) is most commonly used, but treatment with UVB, UVA plus UVB, and UVA alone has also been reported to be effective. This controlled blinded trial from Sweden compared UVA alone and with trimethylpsoralen as prophy-lactic treatment in 22 patients with PMLE.

The initial dose of UVA was 6 J/cm², and the dose was increased by 2 J/cm² during each twice weekly treatment up to a maximum of 20 J/cm². Patients receieved either 30 mg of trimethylpsoralen or placebo 2 hours before light treatment. If PMLE was provoked by the treatment, the UVA dose was increased more slowly and topical stero…