A comparative study on the efficacy of treatment with 585 nm pulsed dye laser and ultraviolet B-TL01 in plaque type psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Narrow-band ultraviolet-B and pulsed dye laser (PDL) affect psoriasis but via different pathways. OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of PDL with ultraviolet-B light therapy (UVB) and to look for synergism of both therapies in patients with plaque type psoriasis. METHODS: In each eligible individual, four similar target plaques were selected, and halves of these plaques were treated using PDL, UVB, or a combination of PDL and UVB or were not treated. Results were recorded single-blind using the Physician's Global Assessment score at study enrolment and Week 13. Nonparametric, paired statistical tests were used to test for differences within and between therapies.The results were also analyzed after dichotomization of the changes in the Physician's Global Assessment score into responsive and nonresponsive to treatment. RESULTS: A significant improvement of the psoriasis lesions was noted at Week 13 (P<.001) with each therapy. No significant differences were noted between the therapies. Synergism of PDL and UVB was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: PDL is safe for treating plaque type psoriasis, but its efficacy is limited to a subgroup of patients. Combining PDL with UVB has no additional benefit.

Epidermal langerhans cell depletion after artificial ultraviolet B irradiation of human skin in vivo: apoptosis versus migration.

Ultraviolet B radiation can suppress cellular immunity. One of the mechanisms related to this immunosuppression is the disappearance of Langerhans cells from the epidermis. The aim of this study was to establish the mechanism of ultraviolet B-induced Langerhans cell disappearance in healthy individuals. The two most likely mechanisms for Langerhans cell disappearance are apoptosis and migration. Apoptosis was assessed in vivo by exposing buttock skin of 10 healthy volunteers to six minimal erythema doses of ultraviolet B. Only very few apoptotic Langerhans cells could be observed in sections from the ultraviolet B-exposed skin. Migration of Langerhans cells cannot be established in skin sections and suction blisters were therefore raised in an attempt to trap migrating Langerhans cells in the sub-basal membrane blister fluid. Blisters were raised on the flexor side of the lower arm of 30 healthy volunteers at several time points after exposure of the skin to six minimal erythema doses of ultraviolet B. Blister fluid was collected and blister roofs were removed to check for Langerhans cell disappearance. Langerhans cells were detected in the blister fluid of the ultraviolet B-exposed skin and not of the unexposed skin. The number of Langerhans cells in the blister fluid peaked at about 18 h after ultraviolet exposure, which coincided with the largest depletion of Langerhans cells in the blister roof. A fraction (20-30%) of the Langerhans cells in the blister fluid stained positive for DNA damage (cyclobutyl pyrimidine dimers), showing that they originated from the epidermis. Ultraviolet B-induced Langerhans cell disappearance appears to be mainly attributable to migration.

Critical review of generic and dermatology-specific health-related quality of life instruments.

The measurement of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is increasingly important in patients with skin diseases. Despite the availability of a variety of instruments and new psychometric techniques, there is no consensus as to which HRQOL instruments are to be preferred in dermatology. The objective of this review is to evaluate the generic HRQOL measures (i.e., health profiles) that have been used in dermatology (Short-Form-36 (SF-36) and -12, NHP, SIP, World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-100 and -BREF) and all dermatology-specific HRQOL measures (Dermatology Life Questionnaire Index, Skindex-29, -16, and -17, Dermatology Quality of Life Scales, and Dermatology-Specific Quality of Life). Criteria for evaluation were adapted from existing guidelines and included conceptual and measurement model, reliability, validity, responsiveness, item functioning, meaning of scores, administrative burden, respondent burden, the availability of alternative forms, and of cultural and language adaptations. Furthermore, an overview of skin diseases in which the included HRQOL tools have been used is presented. Although the selection of the appropriate HRQOL instrument remains a trade-off between various psychometric properties and research objectives, for now, we recommend the combination of SF-36 and Skindex-29 as the instruments of choice in dermatology. Promising new instruments for future research are the WHOQOL and the Skindex-17.