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Evidence summaries

Retinoids for Psoriasis

Retinoids have moderate effect in psoriasis. Combination therapy with PUVA is more effective than retinoid alone. Level of evidence: "A"

According to a systematic review 1 RCTs found retinoids to be moderately effective as monotherapy at doses of 75 mg/day or 1 mg/ kg/day. Acitretin was as effective as etretinate, which was less effective than cyclosporin. There is good RCT evidence to support the use of combination treatment with a retinoid and psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA). This combination was more effective than retinoid therapy alone and had the advantage of lowering the cumulative ultraviolet A (UVA) dose.

    References

    • Griffiths CEM, Clark CM, Chalmers RJG,Li Wan Po A, Williams HC.A systematic review of treatments for severe psoriasis. Health Technol Assess 2000;4(40).

Primary/Secondary Keywords