An Open-label Controlled Trial: Effectiveness of Saltwater-UVA, Tap Water-UVA, and Bath PUVA in the Treatment of Palmoplantar Psoriasis and Contact Dermatitis.

Patients who met the criteria for phototherapy were included in this study. The treatment was used as a standalone protocol, with only moisturizer permitted. In order to participate, patients needed to have completed their last systemic treatment at least 2 months prior to the study, and their last topical treatment at least 4 weeks prior.

Patients were randomized using a computer program and assessed at the beginning of therapy, as well as after 12, 24, and 36 sessions. The standard bath-PUVA protocol involved applying 0.01% bath psoralen for 15 minutes, while the tap water group only received a tap water bath for 15 minutes, and the salt water group received a 3% salt water bath before UVA exposure.

All patients were educated about their condition and current treatment options. Patients who participated in this study either had contraindications to other therapies or had experienced side effects previously.

The initial UVA dosage was 0.25 J/cm2, gradually increasing to a maximum of 5 J/cm2. During each evaluation, patients were assessed using various scales and tools to measure the severity of their psoriasis and their quality of life, as well as photographs.

Following a pilot study involving 5 patients in each group, a two score reduction in the disease activity score revealed that G power analysis determined that a total of at least 13 patients was needed to achieve 80% power. Ethical approval was obtained before commencing the study.