Self-control study of combination treatment of 308 nm excimer laser and calcipotriene ointment on stable psoriasis vulgaris

Objective: This study aims to compare the differences of clinical efficacy and safety of treatment of stable psoriasis vulgaris with calcipotriene ointment in combination with 308 nm excimer laser to 308 nm excimer laser alone.

Methods: Randomized, open and self-control trial was conducted in 36 selected patients. The skin lesions from these patients with stable psoriasis vulgaris were divided into two sides along the midline of torso, one side was treated with 308 nm excimer laser, 2 times/week, at meantime Calcipotriene was applied externally, 2 times/day (treatment group); the other side was given 308 nm excimer laser alone, 2 times/week, the treatment period was 6 weeks (control group). Skin lesion area, PASI scores and cumulative doses of 308 nm excimer laser in patients with psoriasis were assessed before treatment and on weeks 2, 4 and 6 after treatment.

Results: 32 of 36 patients with stable psoriasis vulgaris completed study, effective rates in two groups were better on week 6 (84.37%, 56.25%) than on week 4 (53.12%, 37.5%) and on week 2 (31.25%, 18.75%) (P < 0.05). Effective rate on week 6 in control group (56.25%) was lower than treatment group (84.37%) (P < 0.05). The two groups showed that PASI scores on weeks 2 and 4 after treatment were significantly lower than before treatments (P < 0.05), and PASI scores on week 6 in treatment group was significantly lower than control group (P < 0.05). The average cumulative laser doses in treatment group at the end of trial was 4.69 (2.03) J/cm(2), which was significantly lower than in control group 8.41 (2.42) J/cm (P < 0.05). Treatment efficacies in the head, folds, back, abdomen and limbs were similar and no serious adverse effects, however the number of treatment and irradiation doses in the head and folds were significantly less than in back, abdomen and limbs (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Treatment of psoriasis vulgaris with 308 nm excimer laser in combination with external application of Calcipotriene ointment can improve long-term treatment efficacy, decrease cumulative laser doses, and reduce adverse effects induced by laser irradiations.