Long term results of topical trioxsalen PUVA in lichen planus and nodular prurigo.

Bath and ointment trioxsalen PUVAs were used in the treatment of 75 patients with lichen planus and 63 patients with nodular prurigo. The mean cumulative UVA dose during the primary treatment episode of 2-4 weeks was only about 7 J/cm2. In lichen planus the result was good in 80% of the patients. During the 2-5 years follow-up time 25% of the patients had a relapse. In nodular prurigo the result was good in 81% of the patients after the primary treatment. After the 1-6 years follow-up time 18% of the patients were totally healed and about 90% had got at least some help of the treatment, but in most patients the disease had relapsed and further treatment was needed to maintain the result. Neither malignant skin tumors nor PUVA lentigines developed in any of the patients.