Abstract

Photochemotherapy remains a controversial method in the treatment of alopecia areata. This study demonstrates PUVA therapy experience in patients with alopecia areata partialis (AAP) and totalis/universalis (AAT/U). In 1996, 19 patients underwent systemic PUVA therapy in our department. 14 of them (6 with AAP and 8 with AAT/U) completed the treatment. Total regrowth was achieved in 7 patients (5 with AAP and 2 with AAT/U) and partial regrowth in 3 (1 with AAP and 2 with AAT/U). The average total dose of UVA radiation amounted to 141.5 J/cm2, with a median of 58 treatments. We suggested that PUVA therapy might be useful in some cases of alopecia areata.

Keywords: Photochemotherapy, alopecia areata