Light- and laser-based treatments for granuloma annulare: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Granuloma annulare (GA) is challenging to treat, especially when generalized. A systematic review to support the use of light- and laser-based treatments for GA is lacking. METHODS: We performed a systematic review by searching Cochrane, MEDLINE, and Embase. Title, abstract, full-text screening, and data extraction were done in duplicate. Quality appraisal was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool for case series. RESULTS: Thirty-one case series met the inclusion criteria, representing a total of 336 patients. Overall, psoralen ultraviolet light A (PUVA) showed the greatest frequency of cases with complete response (59%, n = 77/131), followed by photodynamic therapy (PDT) (52%, n = 13/25), ultraviolet light B (UVB)/narrowband UVB (nbUVB)/excimer laser (40%, n = 19/47), UVA1 (31%, n = 27/86), and lasers (29%, n = 8/28). Overall across treatment modalities, higher response rates were seen in localized GA compared to generalized GA. CONCLUSIONS: The body of evidence for light- and laser-based treatment of GA is sparse. Our results suggest that PUVA has a high clearance rate for GA but its use may be limited by concerns of carcinogenesis. Although PDT has the second highest clearance rate, adverse effects, small sample sizes, impractical treatment delivery (especially with generalized disease), and long-term concerns of carcinogenesis may limit its use. Although UVB/nbUVB/excimer laser appeared slightly less effective than other light therapies, we recommend UVB/nbUVB/excimer laser therapy as a first-line treatment for patients with generalized GA given wider availability and a favorable long-term safety profile.

Treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis with apremilast over 2 years in the context of long-term treated HIV infection: A case report.

Treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis in patients with HIV infection is a clinical challenge. We present the case of a patient with a longstanding history of well-controlled HIV. He had failed topical management, and his hypertriglyceridemia made use of acitretin potentially unsafe. He was unable to regularly attend a phototherapy unit. Physical examination revealed 12% total body surface area involvement with a Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) of 10.2. His Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI) was 20. After 3 months of apremilast treatment, his PASI decreased to 4.1. After 7 months, his PASI decreased to 2.7 and his DLQI to 1. Two years later, his PASI score was 2.4, with a stable CD4 count of 1200 cells/mm3 and an undetectable viral load. There were no serious opportunistic infections or laboratory abnormalities. To our knowledge, this represents the second reported case of psoriasis treatment with apremilast in a patient with HIV.