Efficacy of Narrow - Band UVB Phototherapy versus PUVA Chemophototherapy for Psoriasis in Vietnamese Patients

BACKGROUND: Psoralen UVA (PUVA) and narrow-band UVB (NBUVB) chemophototherapy are treatment options for psoriasis. AIM: To compare the effectiveness of NBUVB with PUVA in Vietnamese psoriasis patients. METHODS: We conducted a non-randomized trial on 60 patients with plaque-type psoriasis (30 NBUVB, 30 PUVA). Both regimens were thrice-weekly. The extent of lesion was assessed by the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI). Clearance was defined as a ≥ 75% reduction in a follow-up PASI score from baseline. Patients with clearance were followed-up until 6 months after stopping treatment. Relapse was defined as 50% or more of the original extent. RESULTS: The proportion of patients achieving PASI75 was comparable (76.7% in NBUVB versus 80% in PUVA; p > 0.05). Patients in both groups had a similar number of sessions to achieve clearance but patients in the PUVA group exposed to a significantly higher cumulative UV dose. After six months, the relapse rate was higher in the NBUVB group compared with in the PUVA group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Thrice weekly NBUVB is as effective as thrice weekly PUVA in treating psoriasis for Vietnamese patients.