[The REM syndrome--alternative therapeutic possibilities]

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Chloroquine and its derivatives are established treatments for REMS.
• Alternative therapeutic schedules for REMS have not been widely documented.

Observation:

• A female patient required discontinuation of chloroquine due to ophthalmologic contraindications.
• The patient received alternative treatments including PUVA therapy and dapsone.

Findings:

• PUVA therapy resulted in complete remission of REMS.
• Dapsone monotherapy provided only partial improvement.
• The addition of UV radiation, particularly UV-A, enhanced treatment efficacy.

Implications:

• These findings support PUVA and UV-A therapy as viable alternatives for REMS management.
• This highlights the importance of individualized treatment strategies in REMS therapy.
• Further research into alternative REMS treatments is warranted for patients with chloroquine contraindications.