الفهرس 
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Abstract
Psoriasis is a papulosquamous disorder, characterized by remissions and relapses. It has a considerable effect on the quality of life of those affected. Most of the therapeutic regimens have been used for treatment of psoriasis. However, treatment of psoriasis is rapidly changing with improved understanding of the disease.(365)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of NB-UVB phototherapy versus calcipotriol versus their combination in the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis in a comparative study.
Thirty patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were included in this study. They were divided into two equal groups each included 15 patients. Patients in group A were treated by NB-UVB phototherapy 3 times per week on the right side of the body and topical calcipotriol on the left side of the body. While patients in group B were treated by NB-UVB phototherapy on the right side of the body and combination of calcipotriol and NB-UVB phototherapy on the left side of the body.
All patients were subjected to history taking including the age, sex, duration of the disease, family history of psoriasis, triggering factors of the disease, and previous treatment. Patients were also assessed clinically using PASI score during treatment and in the follow up period.
The results revealed statistically decline in PASI score after treatment in both groups on both sides of the body. In group A; this decline was significantly more obvious on the left side of the body in early treatment period but at the end of treatment there was no significant difference (0.58 on the right side versus 0.38 on the left side). The same in group B, the significant decline on the left side of the body was reduced at the end of treatment (1.26 on the right side versus 0.98 on the left side). But still the improvement of left side of the body in both groups is better clinically than the right side.
Some adverse effects were encountered in the 2 groups. In group A; erythema and exacerbation of the lesions on the right side of the body and pruritus on the left side of the body. While in group B erythema and exacerbation of the lesions occurred on both sides of the body.
The skin types were correlated to the results of the study. It was noticed that skin type III and IV had better response than skin type V and VI.
After the interpretation of the above results, we concluded that NB-UVB phototherapy, calcipotriol, and their combination are safe and effective treatment modalities for chronic palque psoriasis. The response was maintained during the follow up indicating long term effectiveness.
Although there was no significant difference at the end of treatment in both groups, topical calcipotriol offers advantages over NB-UVB.These include higher percent of clearance, faster response, lower episodes of erythema, and lower score at the end of treatment and during the follow up period with longer duration of remission.
Again the combination of both NB-UVB and topical calcipotriol offers advantages over NB-UVB phototherapy alone. These include higher percent of clearance, faster response, lower score at the end of treatment and during the follow up period with longer duration of remission and lower cumulative NB-UVB doses.