Psoriasis treatment and a day-care centre: clinical aspects and an attempt at a cost-benefit analysis
Larkö, O.; Swanbeck, G.
Acta Dermato-Venereologica 62(5): 413-418
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5555 PMID: 6183891 Document Number: 193759
The practical results of day-care center treatment of psoriasis were studied. Patients referred to the center are generally those whose skin disease covers substantial body areas. The main treatment was UVB, UVB plus dithranol or PUVA [psoralen-UVA] has been used on patients who have failed to respond to UVB alone. With UVB therapy alone, 263/328 patients healed with a median healing time of 8 wk and relapse time of 9 wk. Patients (34/60) with a previously poor response to UVB healed on UVB plus dithranol. Median healing time was 8 wk and relapse time 12 wk. Patients (64) were treated with PUVA, if they had had a poor earlier response to UVB. All healed with a median healing time of 12 wk and 25 wk of relapse time. Of the patients 3.3% fit for work have at some time during the treatment been off work due to their psoriasis. The cost for this type of treatments is about 1/15 of the cost of treatment on a hospital ward.