Treatment of genito-anal lesions in inflammatory skin diseases with PUVA cream photochemotherapy: an open pilot study in 12 patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Localized skin lesions of the genito-anal region such as in lichen sclerosus et atrophicus or in lichen planus are a burden for many patients, and therapeutic efforts, including therapies with potentially hazardous side-effects, are often unsatisfactory. Recently, PUVA bath photochemotherapy has been proven highly effective in the treatment of various inflammatory skin diseases, including localized scleroderma. Another form of topical PUVA therapy, 8-methoxypsoralen-containing cream or gel preparations, has been proven to be as effective as PUVA bath therapy for palmoplantar dermatoses.

OBJECTIVE:

We evaluated the clinical effects of PUVA cream photochemotherapy in patients with genital lesions of inflammatory skin diseases.

METHODS:

Twelve patients with lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, lichen planus, vulvar eczema and pruritus vulvae were included in the study. PUVA cream therapy was performed up to 4 times a week.

RESULTS:

PUVA cream photochemotherapy induced a significant clinical improvement of genital lesions in most patients, as revealed by clinical examination. Clinical improvement (reduction in size of lesions of erythema, and/or of pruritus) was achieved in most patients after 10-20 treatments and was reduced in patients that had only received 5-15 treatments. Cumulative doses ranged between 4.5 and 180 J/cm(2); all patients tolerated PUVA cream phototherapy well without any side-effects.

CONCLUSION:

PUVA cream phototherapy represents a highly effective therapy that should be further investigated as an alternative treatment for patients with genital lesions of inflammatory skin diseases.

• Authors: Jörg Reichrath, Uwe Reinhold, Wolfgang Tilgen
• Journal: Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) (Dermatology) Vol. 205 Issue 3 Pg. 245-8 ( 2002) ISSN: 1018-8665 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 12399671 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Anus Diseases (drug therapy)
• Female
• Genital Diseases, Female (drug therapy)
• Genital Diseases, Male (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Lichen Planus (drug therapy, pathology)
• Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus (drug therapy, pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• PUVA Therapy
• Pilot Projects
• Treatment Outcome