Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine

Title abbreviation: Adv Clin Exp Med
JCR Impact Factor (IF) – 2.1 (5-Year IF – 2.0)
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ISSN 1899–5276 (print)
ISSN 2451-2680 (online)
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Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine

2013, vol. 22, nr 5, September-October, p. 715–720

Publication type: original article

Language: English

Effectiveness and Safety of Topical Emollients in the Treatment of PUVA-Induced Pruritus

Skuteczność i bezpieczeństwo stosowania miejscowo emolientów w leczeniu świądu powstałego w wyniku zastosowania metody PUVA

Enver Turan1,A,B,C,D,F, Mehmet Salih Gurel2,E,F, Asli Turgut Erdemir2,A,B, Murat Usta3,C, Nurdan Seda Kutlu2,A,B, Nurdan Yurt2,B,E

1 Harran University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Sanliurfa, Turkey

2 Istanbul Educational and Research Hospital, Department of Dermatology, Istanbul, Turkey

3 Giresun University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Giresun, Turkey

Abstract

Background. In this study we tried to assess the efficacy of topical emollients in the treatment of patients with PUVA-induced pruritus.
Material and Methods. 41 patients over 18 years of age, who received PUVA treatment in the phototherapy unit, were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; Group I was administered with a 4% urea lotion and Group II was administered with liquid petrolatum. The follow-up period was minimum 4 weeks. During the first 2 weeks, patients were administered topical emollients and received PUVA treatment together. The next 2 weeks, they continued PUVA treatment without any medication.
Results. When time-dependent changes in the visual analogue scale scores for pruritus of both groups were considered, both treatment methods were found to be remarkably successful (p < 0.0001). In addition, an insignificant group-time interaction was identified (p = 0.753).
Conclusion. Topical emollients were found to be effective in the treatment of PUVA-induced pruritus. Both forms of medication can be successfully administered and increase the patient’s compliance with medication.

Key words

emollients, pruritus, PUVA therapy, visual analogue scale, Likert scale.

Słowa kluczowe

emolienty, świąd, leczenie PUVA, wizualna skala analogowa, skala Likerta.

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