No additional effect of calcipotriol ointment on low-dose narrow-band UVB phototherapy in psoriasis

Background: Broad-band UVB phototherapy has appeared to be effective in clearing psoriatic lesions. After the advent of calcipotriol ointment, promising results have been obtained by combining these two therapeutic modalities. Also, an additional effect of narrow-band UVB phototherapy on treatment with calcipotriol ointment has been demonstrated. Objective: Our purpose was to compare treatment with low-dose narrow-band UVB phototherapy both with and without calcipotriol ointment. Methods: We included 53 patients suffering from plaque-type psoriasis. All patients underwent low-dose narrow-band UVB phototherapy Nearly half of the patients were randomized to apply calcipotriol ointment (50 mu g/g) twice daily on the affected skin. The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was used to evaluate psoriatic lesions. Results: In this study we showed that low-dose narrow-band UVB phototherapy is effective in the treatment of psoriasis and that calcipotriol ointment does not improve treatment outcome. Conclusion: Calcipotriol ointment does not improve treatment with low-dose narrow-band UVB phototherapy.