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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
11:39
The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
Published on: July 11, 2013
PUVA therapy for psoriasis: choosing a suitable régime
The Ulster Medical Journal
|October 1, 1985
Summary
Photochemotherapy (PUVA) for psoriasis can achieve comparable remission periods with lower cumulative long wave ultraviolet light (UVA) doses. Eliminating maintenance PUVA therapy may reduce UVA exposure without compromising remission duration.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Phototherapy
- Psoriasis Treatment
Background:
- Chronic plaque psoriasis is a common skin condition.
- Photochemotherapy (PUVA) is a recognized treatment for psoriasis.
- Maintenance therapy protocols for PUVA vary.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare remission times in chronic plaque psoriasis patients treated with PUVA.
- To evaluate the relationship between cumulative long wave ultraviolet light (UVA) dose and remission duration.
- To assess the efficacy of maintenance PUVA therapy versus no maintenance therapy.
Main Methods:
- Three groups of 30 age- and sex-matched psoriasis patients were treated with PUVA.
- Groups I and II received routine maintenance PUVA at different intervals.
- Group III received no maintenance PUVA treatment.
Main Results:
- A lower mean cumulative UVA dose (51.0 J/cm²) in the no-maintenance group (Group III) resulted in a remission period comparable to higher doses in maintenance groups.
- Group I received 87.8 J/cm² and Group II received 77.0 J/cm² cumulative UVA during maintenance.
- Remission time was similar across groups despite significant differences in cumulative UVA dose.
Conclusions:
- Maintenance PUVA therapy may not be necessary to achieve comparable remission periods in chronic plaque psoriasis.
- Reducing cumulative UVA exposure through modified PUVA protocols is feasible.
- Further research could explore optimized PUVA treatment strategies to minimize long-term UVA exposure.
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