Abstract:

Tang Zhiming, Zhai Xiaoxiang, Jing Mengqing. Department of Dermatology, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Xuzhou City, Xuzhou 221003, Jiangsu, China Corresponding author: Tang Zhiming, Email: 158914788@qq.com 【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of 308-nm excimer laser combined with tazarotene gel for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. Methods Seventy-two patients with plaque psoriasis were randomly and equally divided into three groups according to a random number table: tazarotene group topically applying tazarotene gel once per night, 308-nm excimer laser group treated with 308-nm excimer laser, combination group treated with both tazarotene gel and 308-nm excimer laser. Clinical efficacy was evaluated according to psoriasis area and severity index （PASI） score and response rate, and safety according to adverse reactions at week 2, 4 and 8 after starting treatment. Results PASI score was significantly lower in the combination group at week 4 and 8 （4.75 ± 0.44 and 2.35 ± 0.37 respectively） than in the 308-nm excimer laser group （6.75 ± 0.57 and 4.67 ± 0.36 respectively, both P < 0.05） and tazarotene group （8.75 ± 0.48 and 6.48 ± 0.45 respectively, both P < 0.05）, and significantly lower in the combination group at week 8 than at week 2 and 4 （both P < 0.05）. A significant increase was observed in the response rate at week 2, 4, and 8 in the combination group （29.1% （7/24）, 66.7% （16/24） and 87.5% （21/24） respectively） compared with the tazarotene group （12.5% （3/24）, 41.7% （10/24） and 62.5% （15/24） respectively, all P < 0.05） and 308-nm excimer laser group （20.8% （5/24）, 50.0% （12/24） and 75.0% （18/24） respectively, all P < 0.05）. No systemic adverse reactions were observed in any of the 3 groups during the study, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of local adverse reactions between the combination group, tazarotene group and 308-nm excimer laser group （16.7% （4/24） vs. 12.5% （3/24） vs. 12.5% （3/24）, P > 0.05）. Conclusion The efficacy of 308-nm excimer laser combined with tazarotene gel is superior to that of tazarotene gel or 308-nm excimer laser alone in the treatment of plaque psoriasis.