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Ultraviolet Therapy for Psoriasis

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Advances in Psoriasis

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Abstract

Total-body ultraviolet therapy (UV) for moderate-to-severe psoriasis consists of narrowband and broadband-UVB, psoralen plus UVA (PUVA – where psoralen can be ingested orally or applied topically), inpatient phototherapy (i.e. Goeckerman Therapy, Ingram therapy), non-office-based phototherapy (i.e. use of commercial sunlamps/sunbeds or home UVB for psoriasis treatment, heliotherapy, climatotherapy), and combined UVB/PUVA with retinoid or biologic agents. For each type of UV therapy discussed in this chapter, essential information regarding dosage and administration, efficacy (including comparator data if available), short-term side effects, and long-term photocarcinogenic risks are discussed. A well-balanced understanding of the advantages and drawbacks of each photo-therapeutic option can help phototherapy practitioners optimize clinical outcomes as well as enhance the quality of life for patients affected by this chronic skin condition.

Authorship responsibilities and attributions: This manuscript represents valid work. Neither this manuscript nor one with substantially similar content under my authorship has been published or is being considered for publication elsewhere. Dr. John Koo and I (Tien Nguyen) both have significant contributions to the manuscript. He has agreed to designate me as the primary correspondent with the editors to review the edited typescript and proof, and to make decisions regarding release of information in the manuscript to the media, federal agencies, or both.

Funding sources: None.

Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, UCSF Medical Center, Psoriasis and Skin Treatment Center, 515 Spruce Street, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA

    Tien V. Nguyen BA & John Y. M. Koo MD

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  1. Tien V. Nguyen BA
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Correspondence to Tien V. Nguyen BA .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. St. Luke's -Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA

    Jeffrey M. Weinberg

  2. Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA

    Mark Lebwohl

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Nguyen, T.V., Koo, J.Y.M. (2014). Ultraviolet Therapy for Psoriasis. In: Weinberg, J., Lebwohl, M. (eds) Advances in Psoriasis. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4432-8_8

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