Effect of acitretin in combined with narrow band ultraviolet B on psoriasis vulgaris

• Main Authors: Xue-Song Han, Zhi-Feng Yue, Kun Tian, Dong Yi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Editorial Board of Journal of Hainan Medical University 2016-03-01
• Series: Journal of Hainan Medical University
• Subjects: Psoriasis vulgaris; Acitretin; NB-UVB
• Online Access: http://www.jhmuweb.net/PDF/201605/31.pdf

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of acitretin in combined with narrow band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. Methods: A total of 50 patients with psoriasis vulgaris who were admitted in our hospital from June, 2014 to June, 2015 were included in the study and randomized into the observation group and the control group. The patients in the control group were given acitretin, 10 mg/time, P.O. after dinner, twice a day. On this basis, the patients in the observation group were given additional NB-UVB for irradiation therapy, 30 min a time, three times a week. Eight-week treatment was regarded as one course. PASI scores, the clinical treatment efficacy, and the clinical symptoms in the two groups were observed. Results: With the extending of treatment cycle, PASI was gradually reduced. PASI scores 2, 4. and 8 weeks after treatment in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate (96.00%) after 8-week treatment in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group (76.00%) (P<0.05). The improvements of erythema, pruritus, scales, and infiltration after 8-week treatment in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Acitretin in combined with NB-UVB in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris can produce a synergistic effect, significantly improve the clinical symptoms, and enhance the clinical efficacy; therefore, it deserves to be further recommended.