[Comparison of balneophototherapy and UVA/B mono-phototherapy in patients with subacute atopic dermatitis]

Hautarzt. 1999 Sep;50(9):649-53. doi: 10.1007/s001050050975.
[Article in German]

Abstract

In a controlled prospective study we compared the efficacy of combined salt water bath and UVA/B phototherapy to a UVA/B mono-phototherapy in patients with subacute atopic dermatitis (AD). The patients in the balneophototherapy group (n=16) were treated with baths containing 3-5% of the synthetic salt Psori-sal(trade mark), followed immediately by UVA/B irradiation, while the other treatment arm (n=12) received UVA/B phototherapy alone. After 20 treatments the balneophototherapy group showed a statistically significant (p</=0.0015) reduction of the SCORAD score from 69.5 before to 36.8 after therapy. No statistically significant reduction in the SCORAD score could be observed in the UVA/B phototherapy group (50.6 before to 44.3 after therapy). The cumulative UVB dose was significantly lower in the balneophototherapy group (0.9 J/cm2) as compared to the UVA/B monotherapy group (2.0 J/cm2). Balneophototherapy was well tolerated by patients with atopic dermatitis and no side effects were observed. We conclude that balneophototherapy expands the therapeutic options for patients with subacute atopic dermatitis.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Balneology*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / diagnosis
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / therapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Salts*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultraviolet Therapy*

Substances

  • Salts
  • brine