Clinical efficacy of flumetasone/salicylic acid ointment combined with 308-nm excimer laser for treatment of psoriasis vulgaris

Abstract

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of combining flumetasone ointment with 308-nm excimer laser therapy vs. 308-nm excimer laser monotherapy for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. Method: Forty patients with psoriasis vulgaris were recruited; 20 were treated with flumetasone ointment plus 308-nm excimer laser therapy, and the other 20 received only excimer laser monotherapy. The flumetasone ointment was applied topically twice a day, and laser treatments were scheduled twice weekly for a total of 10 treatments. Clinical efficacy was evaluated in a blinded manner by two independent physicians using photographs taken before and after treatment. Results: Of the 40 patients who received and completed the entire course of therapy, the psoriasis area and severity index score was improved by 82.51±11.24% and 72.01±20.94% in the combination group and laser group, respectively (P>0.05), and the average cumulative dose was 5.06±2.20j/cm 2 in the combination group and 7.75±2.25j/cm 2 in the laser-only group, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: The clinical data suggest that combination treatment using flumetasone ointment and a 308-nm excimer laser is superior to laser monotherapy for treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. The combination therapy can increase effectiveness and decrease the total laser dose, thus potentially reducing side effects. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.