Photochemotherapy of psoriasis (PUVA) without specialized equipment

High intensity long ultraviolet light (UV-A) systems along with oral methoxsalen (8-methoxypsoralen [8-MOP]) have been dramatically successful in clearing long-standing psoriasis. Since this equipment is beyond the reach of many dermatologists, we have examined alternate ways of achieving the benefits of PUVA photochemotherapy. A total of 24 patients with psoriasis have been treated with ordinary fluorescent blacklights in a conventional Zimmerman cabinet. Fourteen patients' conditions (58%) were cleared completely and the conditions of three (12%) were more than 80% improved. We used higher doses of 8-MOP, starting with 50 mg, and increased the dosage further in 15 cases. In five instances, 80-mg levels were given. With certain modifications, it may be possible to attain satisfactory therapeutic results with ordinary equipment. Higher doses of 8-MOP may be necessary to compensate for the lower irradiance light source in some instances. However, wide-spread use of PUVA therapy cannot be recommended at this time until the long-term effects of this treatment become known.