Phototherapy of Psoriasis, a Chronic Inflammatory Skin Disease

Emőke Rácz, Errol P Prens

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

    27 Citations (Scopus)
    131 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Phototherapy is an effective treatment modality for several skin diseases which has been in use from the era of the Egyptians. Insight into its mode of action has gradually accumulated over the past decades. A crucial biological effect of ultraviolet radiation is the induction of apoptosis in T lymphocytes and in keratinocytes in the epidermis. Via this mechanism inflammation-induced pathological changes characteristic of psoriasis are counteracted.Phototherapy remains the only therapeutic option for certain patient groups where modification of the systemic immune reactions is contraindicated, such as by HIV, internal malignancy or pregnancy. UVB treatment is highly cost-effective, which is important in this age of increasing health care costs.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationUltraviolet Light in Human Health, Diseases and Environment
    EditorsShamim I. Ahmad
    Chapter24
    Pages287-294
    Number of pages367
    Volume996
    ISBN (Electronic)978-3-319-56017-5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2017

    Publication series

    NameAdvances in experimental medicine and biology
    ISSN (Print)0065-2598

    Keywords

    • Chronic Disease
    • Humans
    • Phototherapy/adverse effects
    • Psoriasis/diagnosis
    • Treatment Outcome

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