Plasma exchange for treatment of intractable psoriasis

Hemofiltration and plasma exchange, using a plasma separator with membranes, were used in 14 psoriatic patients. The efficacies of the treatments were compared. Among the patients, 13 were treated with hemofiltration and/or direct hemoperfusion, 5 experienced complete remission, 5 improved, and 3 remained unaffected. In these 3 cases, plasma exchange was performed. The first patient, who suffered from psoriasis pustulosa with arthropathica, achieved complete remission with only two treatment of 2-L plasma exchange. Joint pain was also eliminated. Both skin lesions and joint pain were markedly improved in the second patient, who suffered from psoriasis vulgaris with arthropathica. The third patient showed marked improvement with only two plasma exchanges, and is under continuing observation.