Assessment of the Role of Dermoscope for Monitoring Patients with Chronic Plaque Psoriasis before and after Narrowband Ultraviolet B Phototherapy

Abstract

Abstract Background Phototherapy is a traditional treatment for psoriasis, but its prolonged use is associated with cumulative toxicity, so physicians are in continuous need of tools to predict and monitor the progress of the disease. Objectives To detect if there is any role for dermoscopy in monitoring patients with chronic plaque psoriasis on narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy. Patients and Methods A total of 30 patients with Chronic Plaque psoriasis were treated by narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy for three months according to their local and general conditions. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score calculation and dermoscopic examination were done at baseline, after 6 weeks, and after 12 weeks of starting treatment. Results A significant association was noted between changes in the vessel distribution in psoriatic lesions and the response to treatment according to Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score assessment along with treatment visits, whereas the presence of globular blood vessels was significantly associated with poor clinical response. Conclusion Dermoscope is a rapid simple tool to predict the response of psoriatic patients to phototherapy using vascular pattern assessment.