Efficacy of a day-care program in the treatment of psoriasis.

BACKGROUND

Few data exist documenting the effectiveness of psoriasis day-care treatment programs (PDTPs) using standardized efficacy measurements.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to analyze the efficacy of a PDTP using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI).

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed on 132 patients treated at our PDTP. Sufficient data existed to permit PASI analysis using a simplified method for a representative subgroup of 64 patients, who formed the study population. Patients received phototherapy and topical treatments over 2 weeks. The outcome measures included a baseline and day 11 PASI, a physician global assessment (PGA), and adverse events reported by the patients.

RESULTS

Mean baseline PASI was 13.6 (N = 64), with a 59.6% reduction by day 11. A PASI reduction of > or = 50% was seen in 75% of patients, with 30% of patients achieving > or = 75% reduction of PASI. Day 11 PGA demonstrated a 69.9% improvement.

CONCLUSION

With a reduction in PASI of 59.6% at 11 days, our PDTP, with phototherapy and topical agents, seems to be a rapid and effective therapy for psoriasis.