Abstract
Background:
There is a lack of sufficiently large randomized trials evaluating the effectiveness of saline spa balneophototherapy compared to ultraviolet B (UVB) only.
Objective:
The study aimed to evaluate whether highly concentrated saline spa water baths followed by UVB (HC-SSW-UVB) are superior to UVB only in moderate to severe psoriasis.
Methods:
One hundred and sixty (160) adults with a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) of >10 from 4 German spa centers were randomly allocated to HC-SSW-UVB (local sodium chloride concentration between 25% and 27%) or UVB only 3 a week until remission (PASI < 5) or for a maximum of 6 weeks. Reduction of PASI ≥ 50% (PASI-50) at the end of the intervention period was defined as primary outcome. Only persons receiving at least 1 intervention were included into the primary analysis.
Results:
Participants allocated to HC-SSW-UVB attained to a statistically significantly higher rate of PASI-50 than patients allocated to UVB only (68/79 [86%] versus 38/71 [54%]; p < 0.001; number needed to treat, 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 2.1–6.0). Postintervention analysis did not yield a clear hint of a persisting effect.
Conclusions:
The study indicates that HC-SSW-UVB are superior to routine UVB at the end of a 6-week treatment course.
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