A Review and Update of Phototherapy Treatment Options for Psoriasis

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting greater than 7 million adults in the USA. There are a multitude of treatment options available for psoriasis management. This review provides an overview of the current use of phototherapy in the treatment of psoriasis, and an update on recent phototherapy advances, either as a single modality or in conjunction with other agents.

Recent Findings

Advances in pharmacotherapy and an increased understanding of the pathogenesis of psoriasis have led to the development of new systemic treatments for psoriasis. A small number of recent studies have evaluated the use of phototherapy in comparison to or in combination with emerging and traditional treatment modalities.

Summary

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition with a high disease burden among patients. More than half of patients are dissatisfied with their therapy, and many are not receiving adequate levels of treatment. Phototherapy remains an effective modality for the treatment of psoriasis with minimal risk. While some studies have evaluated the use of phototherapy with systemic options, more studies are needed to make definitive conclusions.

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