Related Experiment Videos
PUVA treatment for alopecia areata. Experience in a Turkish population
S Sahin1, B Yalçin, A Karaduman
1Department of Dermatology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Background:
PUVA has been suggested as an alternative treatment modality for resistant, diffuse alopecia areata (AA). However, there are conflicting reports on its efficacy.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of PUVA treatment of AA in a Turkish population.
Methods:
Twenty-four patients (15 female and 9 male) suffering from extensive AA for more than 1 year were included in a retrospective study. PUVA was administered to the whole body 3 times a week. Only 75-100% hair regrowth was defined as cosmetically acceptable.
Results:
Excellent hair regrowth was achieved in 37.5% of the patients. The therapeutic efficiency was not related to age and sex of the patients, duration and extent of the disease (p <0. 05).
Conclusion:
PUVA can be an alternative therapy for patients with extensive AA independently of the duration of disease.