The influence of psoriatic plaques pretreatment with crude coal tar vs. petrolatum on the efficacy of narrow-band ultraviolet B: a half-vs.-half intra-individual double-blinded comparative study

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2011 Oct;27(5):226-30. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0781.2011.00602.x.

Abstract

Background/purpose: The value of psoriatic plaques pretreatment with specific topical preparations in the setting of NB-ultraviolet-B (UVB) therapy is debatable. It may be clarified through a comparative assessment between crude coal tar and petrolatum as pretreatment candidates.

Methods: A prospective study included 40 patients with plaque psoriasis undergoing NB-UVB therapy. We compared among three treatment regimens: NB-UVB alone (control group; n=20) as well as NB-UVB preceded by crude coal tar 3% on one side and petrolatum on the other side (cases group I and II; n=20). Tar and petrolatum were topically applied thrice/day the day before NB-UVB exposure. Applications were removed using olive oil directly before NB-UVB exposure. Regimens' frequency was thrice/week and the clinical outcome was assessed, through both psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) and physician global assessment (PGA) scores, at baseline and 3 months later.

Results: There were significant (P<0.01) decreases in both PASI and PGA scores in all the groups. In comparison with the controls, cases revealed significantly (P<0.05) higher improvement percentages in both PASI and PGA scores for both tar and petrolatum. This influence, through the PGA score, was significantly (P<0.05) in favor of petrolatum.

Conclusion: The pretreatment of psoriatic plaques with either petrolatum or crude coal tar may enhance the therapeutic outcome of NB-UVB, which appeared to favor petrolatum.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Adult
  • Coal Tar / administration & dosage*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Emollients / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Keratolytic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Male
  • Petrolatum / administration & dosage*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Psoriasis / radiotherapy*
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Ultraviolet Therapy / methods*

Substances

  • Emollients
  • Keratolytic Agents
  • Coal Tar
  • Petrolatum