Soluble tumor necrosis factor α receptor type 1 in psoriasis patients treated with narrowband ultraviolet B

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of narrowband ultraviolet (NB-UVB) therapy on the serum concentration of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1 (sTNF-R1) in psoriasis patients. Methods: Twenty-seven patients received NB-UVB therapy three to five times a week for 4 weeks. The assessment of skin lesions using psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) and serum concentration of sTNF-R1 was performed at the baseline, at 2, 4 and 4 weeks after treatment cessation. The sera of healthy subject were used as controls. Results: The baseline PASI was 13.56 ± 5.71, sTNF-R1 concentration was 1.89 ± 0.43 ng/ml in patients and 1.48 ± 0.30 ng/ml in controls (P < 0.05). The baseline PASI correlated to sTNF-R1 (r = 0.52, P < 0.05). The decline in concentrations of sTNF-R1 paralleled the decline of PASI achieved during therapy but still exceeded control values. Conclusion: The results of the study confirm the role of sTNF-R1 as a marker of psoriasis severity and efficacy of treatment. They also suggest that NB-UVB influences the serum level of sTNF-R1. Copyright © Blackwell Munksgaard 2005.