Narrowband UVB Phototherapy in the Treatment of Psoriasis Vulgaris

Inclusion Criteria:

• Signed informed consent.
• History of chronic plaque psoriasis vulgaris, for at least six months.
• ≥10% body surface affected
• Age 18 or greater.
• Concomitant, chronic, but well-controlled medical conditions such as hypertension are allowable.
• No treatment with topical steroids for at least 2 weeks prior to entering the study
• No treatment with systemic therapies, including etretinate, UVB, PUVA, or cyclosporine, other biologics 4 weeks prior to entering the study. However, if a patient is considered to be "unstable", or would deteriorate clinically if the systemic agent is ceased (eg efalizumab), a shorter "washout" period may be considered, and would be documented in the patient charts.
• Patients who receive a stable dose of methotrexate (defined as <15mg/week for 4 months or greater) for psoriatic arthritis may be included.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects who do not meet the above criteria, or who meet any of the following criteria:

  • Guttate, erythrodermic, or pustular psoriasis as sole or predominant form of psoriasis.
  • PHOTOSENSITIVITY: Hypersensitivity to sunlight or UVB light of any type; history of Lupus, PMLE, or any disease known to be worsened by UV light exposure
  • A history of non-melanoma skin cancer may be acceptable, and in this situation, the patient will be carefully evaluated.
  • Poorly controlled medical conditions of any kind.
  • Any medical condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would jeopardize the health or well being of the patient during the course of this study.