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The time-course of psoralen ultraviolet a (PUVA) erythema

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Peter Farr

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Abstract

The time-course for the development of ultraviolet A-induced erythema in psoralen-sensitized skin differs from that caused by ultraviolet B or ultraviolet A but objective data are not available. During psoralen ultraviolet A therapy, the minimal phototoxic dose is determined 72 h after exposure, when psoralen ultraviolet A erythema is assumed to be maximal. This measurement is of fundamental importance in optimizing the therapeutic regimen, We examined a detailed time-course for development of psoralen ultraviolet A erythema in 16 subjects. The erythemal responses to ultraviolet B, ultraviolet A and psoralen ultraviolet A were assessed visually and using a reflectance device, Ultraviolet B erythema was maximal 24 h after exposure compared with subsequent time-points. Psoralen ultraviolet A erythema was evident at 24 h, with reduction in the median ultraviolet A minimal erythema dose from 14 to 5 J per cm(2) in the presence of psoralen (p < 0.01; n = 9), Peak psoralen ultraviolet A erythema, assessed by minimal phototoxic dose, did not occur until 96 h or later in 75% of subjects. Using individual dose-response curves, we determined that only 67% of mean maximum psoralen ultraviolet A erythemal intensity had developed by 72 h, Furthermore, at the time of maximal erythema, the slope of the psoralen ultraviolet A dose-response curve was approximately 2-fold shallower than that for ultraviolet B-induced erythema. If assessment of psoralen ultraviolet A erythemal sensitivity had been made at 96 h instead of the conventional 72 h time-point, peak erythemal responses would not have been missed in any of the subjects. Based on these findings, it seems appropriate to consider whether psoralen ultraviolet A minimal phototoxic dose measurements should be performed 96 h after exposure.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Ibbotson SH, Farr PM

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Investigative Dermatology

Year: 1999

Volume: 113

Issue: 3

Pages: 346-349

Print publication date: 01/09/1999

ISSN (print): 0022-202X

ISSN (electronic): 1523-1747

Publisher: Nature Publishing Group

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1747.1999.00700.x

DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1747.1999.00700.x

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