Bath-PUVA therapy in three patients with scleredema adultorum

Background: Scleredema adultorum (SA) is a rare connective tissue disorder for which no treatment has proven to be effective. Objective: Our purpose was to determine the effect of bath-PUVA therapy on SA. Methods: Three patients were treated. Clinical evaluation of skin induration and thickness as well as ultrasonography were performed at baseline and after treatment. Results: All three patients showed substantial clinical improvement with bath-PUVA therapy (median of 59 treatments and a cumulative UVA dose of 245.7 J/cm(2)). Ultrasonography showed significant reduction in both skin thickness and density. Conclusion: Bath-PUVA therapy appears to be effective in the treatment of SA.