Combination effect of methotrexate with Narrowband Ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy in psoriasis vulgaris patients in dermatology and venereology outpatient clinic Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory skin disease that alters the quality of life. Systemic therapy and biologic agents are prescribed for severe and widespread psoriasis, but these drugs may have systemic side effects and immune suppression. Narrowband Ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy remains one of the most effective and safe treatments for psoriasis.Methods: This study was an observational retrospective cohort with one group pretest and post-test design. A retrospective analysis was done on 16 medical records of patients who met the inclusion criteria. The efficacy of the therapy was identified and analyzed using the SPSS version 17 for Windows.Results: This study found that 16 psoriasis patients received NB-UVB phototherapy, 11 (68.75%) in men and 5 (31.25%) in women. The mean age was 47.31 years. There was a statistically significant difference in the reduction in PASI score before and after receiving combination methotrexate with 24 sessions of NB-UVB phototherapy (p=0.000); the delta PASI score was 45,02%. A statistical analysis based on the number of phototherapy sessions per week showed enhanced results when patients attended 3 phototherapy sessions per week (p = 0.001).Conclusion: There was a statistically significant reduction in PASI score in psoriasis vulgaris patients before and after receiving combination methotrexate with 24 sessions of NB-UVB phototherapy.