A Comparative Study of Oral Methotrexate and Combination of OralMethotrexate and Narrow Band Ultraviolet-B in Chronic Plaque Psoriasis

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic common skin condition which alters the skin appearance, causes an inflammation in the outer epidermis, and proliferates the skin epidermal layers. It is influenced by both genomic and other external factors like environmental factors.1The most common lesions are red, scaly, sharply demarcated plaques that appear primarily on extensor surfaces. Psoriasis exhibits a chronic relapsing nature and variable clinical features. The cutaneous lesions are typically thus distinct for clinical diagnosis. Material & Methods: Prospective hospital based observational study. The study was conducted in Department of Department of Dermatology, Narayana Medical College, Nellore, A.P. Patients of chronic plaque psoriasis not responding to any other therapeutic modality. Initially a detailed history regarding the age of onset, the duration of illness, past modalities of treatment, family history of the disease, seasonal variation, other triggering factors, occupation were taken. The patients were explained regarding the duration of treatment, the need for regular follow up of therapy, clinic and probable side effects that could be encountered during treatment. Results: Among all (n=50 including group A and B, 25 of each) participants, relapse of treatment in weeks observed between the range of 6-12, mean was 9 with the standard deviation of 1.6 in group A. For group B relapse of medical regimen in weeks observed between the range 8-12, Mean was 10.5 with the standard deviation of 1.9 which is nearly similar in group A. This results were statistically significant as p= 0.01 where p<0.05. Conclusion: From our study it, we concluded that Combination therapy of oral methotrexate and NBUVB is found to be most effective, feasible from the economic point of view as well as the side effects profile and patient compliance.