Comparative study of systemic psoralen and ultraviolet A and narrowband ultraviolet B in treatment of chronic urticaria.

Background: Previous success rates of psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) and narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) in the treatment of chronic urticaria are reported in few studies with no previous reports on the comparable efficacy of both modalities in the disease.

Aim: We aimed to compare the efficacy of PUVA versus NB-UVB in the treatment of chronic urticaria.

Methods: Twenty-four patients with chronic urticaria were included and divided into two groups: 12 patients subjected to PUVA and 12 subjected to NB-UVB. They were compared according to the urticaria Total Severity Score (TSS) before and after treatment, cumulative dose, and side effects.

Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in urticaria TSS in both the NB-UVB- and PUVA-treated groups after than before treatment (P < 0.05), with no significant difference between both groups regarding the percentage of improved patients and the mean decrease of urticaria TSS (P > 0.05). Gastrointestinal upset was reported at a significantly higher percentage in the PUVA-treated group than in the NB-UVB-treated group.

Conclusion: Both NB-UVB and PUVA show comparable efficacy in the treatment of chronic urticaria with minimal reversible side effects.