Balneophototherapy of psoriasis: highly concentrated salt water versus tap water--a randomized, one-blind, right/left comparative study

Authors: Gambichler T (1) , Rapp S (1) , Senger E (2) , Altmeyer P (1) , Hoffmann K (1)

Affiliations:

(1) Department of Dermatology, Ruhr-University Bochum (2) Office of Dermatology, Dr. Erik Senger

Source: Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2001 Feb;17(1):22-5

DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0781.2001.017001022.x Publication date: 2001 Feb E-Publication date: Dec. 21, 2001 Availability: abstract Copyright: Not specified

Language: English Countries: Germany Location: Not specified Correspondence address: t.gambichler@derma.de

Keywords

Article abstract

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE:

Apart from climatotherapy and spa therapy, combined treatment with salt water baths and artificial UV radiation (balneophototherapy) has been advocated for the treatment of psoriasis. As there is a lack of controlled studies on balneophototherapy (BPT), we conducted a randomized, one-blind, right/left comparison with salt water versus tap water in order to investigate the significance of the salt concentration in the efficacy of BPT.

METHODS:

Ten psoriasis patients with chronic plaques on the elbows were included in the study. One elbow was soaked in 24% NaCl solution and the other in tap water. Subsequently, broadband UVB irradiation was administered. BPT was performed 4 times weekly with a total of 30 treatments.

RESULTS:

A highly significant (P<0.001) decrease of the clinical baseline score was observed after 30 treatments; however, there was no significant (P>0.5) difference in clearance of the psoriatic lesions between the sites soaked in salt water and tap water.

CONCLUSION:

Our results suggest that any additional benefit of soaking in salt water and tap water in BPT are unlikely to be due to the salinity of the liquids.

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