The Experts below are selected from a list of 561 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Aleksandra Lesiak - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
perspectives of uv nowcasting to monitor personal pro health outdoor activities
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B-biology, 2018Co-Authors: Janusz W Krzyścin, Joanna Narbutt, Aleksandra Lesiak, Piotr Sobolewski, Jakub GuzikowskiAbstract:Abstract Nowcasting model for online monitoring of personal outdoor behaviour is proposed. It is envisaged that it will provide an effective e-tool used by smartphone users. The model could estimate maximum duration of safe (without erythema risk) outdoor activity. Moreover, there are options to estimate duration of sunbathing to get adequate amount of vitamin D3 and doses necessary for the antipsoriatic Heliotherapy. The application requires information of starting time of sunbathing and the user's phototype. At the beginning the user will be informed of the approximate duration of sunbathing required to get the minimum erythemal dose, adequate amount of vitamin D3, and the dose necessary for the antipsoriatic Heliotherapy. After every 20-min the application will recalculate the remaining duration of sunbathing based on the UVI measured in the preceding 20 min. If the estimate of remaining duration is
-
Perspectives of the antipsoriatic Heliotherapy in Poland.
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 2014Co-Authors: Janusz W. Krzyścin, Joanna Narbutt, Aleksandra Lesiak, Piotr Sobolewski, Janusz Jarosławski, Bonawentura Rajewska-więch, A. Szkop, Jakub Wink, Agnieszka CzerwińskaAbstract:Abstract Statistical analysis of the daily course of exposures to TL-01 tube radiation for 93 psoriatic patients from the Medical University of Łodź during 20-day phototherapy shows that the dose of 1 J/cm 2 represents a unit of single exposure necessary for psoriasis healing. This value is converted to the antipsoriatic effective dose of 317.9 J/m 2 using the TL-01 lamp irradiance spectrum and the antipsoriatic action spectrum. It is proposed that the daily exposure of 317.9 J/m 2 serves as the standard antipsoriatic dose (SAPD) providing a link between the cabinet and the out-door exposures and it could be used for planning Heliotherapy in Poland. A model is proposed to calculate ambient antipsoriatic doses for 3 h exposures around the local noon (9 am–12 am GMT) based on satellite measurements of ozone and cloud characteristics. The model constants are determined by a comparison with pertaining antipsoriatic doses measured by the Brewer spectrophotometer in central Poland. It is found that 3 h exposures to solar radiation in the period 15 May–15 September provides the mean (2005–2013) doses in the range 2.7–3.1 SAPD over Poland. Thus, Heliotherapy could be treated as an alternative to the cabinet phototherapy for almost 4 months. It seems that the most effective site for antipsoriatic Heliotherapy is the south/east part of Poland (the Bieszczady Mountains). The Heliotherapy could be carried out in existing national health centers equipped with the standard easy-to-use biometers for on-line monitoring of UV level and controlling duration of sunbathing to avoid erythema risks. It is even possible to control the antipsoriatic Heliotherapy by a patient himself, using low-cost hand-held instruments measuring UV index.
-
Effectiveness of Heliotherapy for psoriasis clearance in low and mid-latitudinal regions: a theoretical approach.
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 2012Co-Authors: Janusz W. Krzyścin, Joanna Narbutt, Aleksandra Lesiak, Piotr Sobolewski, Janusz Jarosławski, Bonawentura Rajewska-więch, Mariola PawlaczykAbstract:Abstract The action spectrum for psoriasis clearance is reconstructed taking into account the results obtained in the early 1980s. The antipsoriatic action spectrum is used for weighting the medical cabinet UV spectra, and the solar spectra measured in San Diego (USA) and Belsk (Poland). The mean cumulative antipsoriatic effective dose of 450 mJ cm−2, due to TL-01 (UVB narrowband) tubes, is taken by a patient with skin phototype II during routine 20 phototherapy sessions carried out in a phototherapy cabinet in the Medical University of Łodz. Thus, the daily mean dose of value 22.5 mJ cm−2 is proposed as the threshold for daily solar dose for numbers of out-door exposures to clear psoriasis. We assume that the Heliotherapy will last a whole month with every day 2 h exposition to the direct sunlight around local noon. The Heliotherapy will be successful if weather conditions permit at least 20 days with the daily exposure over the threshold. The minimum cumulative ambient erythemal dose, necessary for psoriasis clearance, is estimated as 144 standard erythema dose (SED) for the whole Heliotherapy period. We find that Heliotherapy could be effectively used in March through October (San Diego) and in June through August (Belsk). Thus, the Heliotherapy against psoriasis is possible not only at southern resorts but even at the mid-latitude sites.
-
Space-based estimation of the solar UV-B doses for psoriasis Heliotherapy in Poland using OMI data for the period 2005–2011
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 2012Co-Authors: Janusz W. Krzyścin, Joanna Narbutt, Aleksandra Lesiak, Piotr Sobolewski, Janusz Jarosławski, Bonawentura Rajewska-więch, Mariola Pawlaczyk, M. JanouchAbstract:Abstract A UV model is proposed to reconstruct the biologically weighted doses at the ground-level, erythemal, vitamin D 3 , and antipsoriatic effective doses, based on the space data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument on board of NASA EOS Aura spacecraft for the period 2005–2011. The model is training using the results of spectral UV measurements carried out at Belsk, Poland. The model outcome is verified using the UV spectra measured at Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. The model uncertainty is almost the same for all examined action spectra and comparable to that found in earlier studies on differences between the satellite overpasses and ground-based erythemal data. Antipsoriatic doses, taken during 2 h exposure periods near local noon, are reconstructed for selected sites in Poland to find if Heliotherapy would be an alternative to standard treatment of psoriasis by tube irradiation in medical cabinets. Mountain-resort in the southern Poland, Zakopane, and rural-site in Central Poland, Belsk, are among the best location of potential Heliotherapy centers in Poland for late spring/summer season. Łeba, resort on the Baltic Sea coast, is a potential Heliotherapy center in June and July. The methodology to disclose possible Heliotherapy periods over the territory of Poland could be extended to any region. It would help to prepare an optimal schedule of antipsoriatic Heliotherapy that accounts for local weather conditions and medical standards of using UV cabinets.
Piotr Sobolewski - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
perspectives of uv nowcasting to monitor personal pro health outdoor activities
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B-biology, 2018Co-Authors: Janusz W Krzyścin, Joanna Narbutt, Aleksandra Lesiak, Piotr Sobolewski, Jakub GuzikowskiAbstract:Abstract Nowcasting model for online monitoring of personal outdoor behaviour is proposed. It is envisaged that it will provide an effective e-tool used by smartphone users. The model could estimate maximum duration of safe (without erythema risk) outdoor activity. Moreover, there are options to estimate duration of sunbathing to get adequate amount of vitamin D3 and doses necessary for the antipsoriatic Heliotherapy. The application requires information of starting time of sunbathing and the user's phototype. At the beginning the user will be informed of the approximate duration of sunbathing required to get the minimum erythemal dose, adequate amount of vitamin D3, and the dose necessary for the antipsoriatic Heliotherapy. After every 20-min the application will recalculate the remaining duration of sunbathing based on the UVI measured in the preceding 20 min. If the estimate of remaining duration is
-
Perspectives of the antipsoriatic Heliotherapy in Poland.
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 2014Co-Authors: Janusz W. Krzyścin, Joanna Narbutt, Aleksandra Lesiak, Piotr Sobolewski, Janusz Jarosławski, Bonawentura Rajewska-więch, A. Szkop, Jakub Wink, Agnieszka CzerwińskaAbstract:Abstract Statistical analysis of the daily course of exposures to TL-01 tube radiation for 93 psoriatic patients from the Medical University of Łodź during 20-day phototherapy shows that the dose of 1 J/cm 2 represents a unit of single exposure necessary for psoriasis healing. This value is converted to the antipsoriatic effective dose of 317.9 J/m 2 using the TL-01 lamp irradiance spectrum and the antipsoriatic action spectrum. It is proposed that the daily exposure of 317.9 J/m 2 serves as the standard antipsoriatic dose (SAPD) providing a link between the cabinet and the out-door exposures and it could be used for planning Heliotherapy in Poland. A model is proposed to calculate ambient antipsoriatic doses for 3 h exposures around the local noon (9 am–12 am GMT) based on satellite measurements of ozone and cloud characteristics. The model constants are determined by a comparison with pertaining antipsoriatic doses measured by the Brewer spectrophotometer in central Poland. It is found that 3 h exposures to solar radiation in the period 15 May–15 September provides the mean (2005–2013) doses in the range 2.7–3.1 SAPD over Poland. Thus, Heliotherapy could be treated as an alternative to the cabinet phototherapy for almost 4 months. It seems that the most effective site for antipsoriatic Heliotherapy is the south/east part of Poland (the Bieszczady Mountains). The Heliotherapy could be carried out in existing national health centers equipped with the standard easy-to-use biometers for on-line monitoring of UV level and controlling duration of sunbathing to avoid erythema risks. It is even possible to control the antipsoriatic Heliotherapy by a patient himself, using low-cost hand-held instruments measuring UV index.
-
Effectiveness of Heliotherapy for psoriasis clearance in low and mid-latitudinal regions: a theoretical approach.
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 2012Co-Authors: Janusz W. Krzyścin, Joanna Narbutt, Aleksandra Lesiak, Piotr Sobolewski, Janusz Jarosławski, Bonawentura Rajewska-więch, Mariola PawlaczykAbstract:Abstract The action spectrum for psoriasis clearance is reconstructed taking into account the results obtained in the early 1980s. The antipsoriatic action spectrum is used for weighting the medical cabinet UV spectra, and the solar spectra measured in San Diego (USA) and Belsk (Poland). The mean cumulative antipsoriatic effective dose of 450 mJ cm−2, due to TL-01 (UVB narrowband) tubes, is taken by a patient with skin phototype II during routine 20 phototherapy sessions carried out in a phototherapy cabinet in the Medical University of Łodz. Thus, the daily mean dose of value 22.5 mJ cm−2 is proposed as the threshold for daily solar dose for numbers of out-door exposures to clear psoriasis. We assume that the Heliotherapy will last a whole month with every day 2 h exposition to the direct sunlight around local noon. The Heliotherapy will be successful if weather conditions permit at least 20 days with the daily exposure over the threshold. The minimum cumulative ambient erythemal dose, necessary for psoriasis clearance, is estimated as 144 standard erythema dose (SED) for the whole Heliotherapy period. We find that Heliotherapy could be effectively used in March through October (San Diego) and in June through August (Belsk). Thus, the Heliotherapy against psoriasis is possible not only at southern resorts but even at the mid-latitude sites.
-
Space-based estimation of the solar UV-B doses for psoriasis Heliotherapy in Poland using OMI data for the period 2005–2011
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 2012Co-Authors: Janusz W. Krzyścin, Joanna Narbutt, Aleksandra Lesiak, Piotr Sobolewski, Janusz Jarosławski, Bonawentura Rajewska-więch, Mariola Pawlaczyk, M. JanouchAbstract:Abstract A UV model is proposed to reconstruct the biologically weighted doses at the ground-level, erythemal, vitamin D 3 , and antipsoriatic effective doses, based on the space data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument on board of NASA EOS Aura spacecraft for the period 2005–2011. The model is training using the results of spectral UV measurements carried out at Belsk, Poland. The model outcome is verified using the UV spectra measured at Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. The model uncertainty is almost the same for all examined action spectra and comparable to that found in earlier studies on differences between the satellite overpasses and ground-based erythemal data. Antipsoriatic doses, taken during 2 h exposure periods near local noon, are reconstructed for selected sites in Poland to find if Heliotherapy would be an alternative to standard treatment of psoriasis by tube irradiation in medical cabinets. Mountain-resort in the southern Poland, Zakopane, and rural-site in Central Poland, Belsk, are among the best location of potential Heliotherapy centers in Poland for late spring/summer season. Łeba, resort on the Baltic Sea coast, is a potential Heliotherapy center in June and July. The methodology to disclose possible Heliotherapy periods over the territory of Poland could be extended to any region. It would help to prepare an optimal schedule of antipsoriatic Heliotherapy that accounts for local weather conditions and medical standards of using UV cabinets.
Joanna Narbutt - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
perspectives of uv nowcasting to monitor personal pro health outdoor activities
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B-biology, 2018Co-Authors: Janusz W Krzyścin, Joanna Narbutt, Aleksandra Lesiak, Piotr Sobolewski, Jakub GuzikowskiAbstract:Abstract Nowcasting model for online monitoring of personal outdoor behaviour is proposed. It is envisaged that it will provide an effective e-tool used by smartphone users. The model could estimate maximum duration of safe (without erythema risk) outdoor activity. Moreover, there are options to estimate duration of sunbathing to get adequate amount of vitamin D3 and doses necessary for the antipsoriatic Heliotherapy. The application requires information of starting time of sunbathing and the user's phototype. At the beginning the user will be informed of the approximate duration of sunbathing required to get the minimum erythemal dose, adequate amount of vitamin D3, and the dose necessary for the antipsoriatic Heliotherapy. After every 20-min the application will recalculate the remaining duration of sunbathing based on the UVI measured in the preceding 20 min. If the estimate of remaining duration is
-
Perspectives of the antipsoriatic Heliotherapy in Poland.
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 2014Co-Authors: Janusz W. Krzyścin, Joanna Narbutt, Aleksandra Lesiak, Piotr Sobolewski, Janusz Jarosławski, Bonawentura Rajewska-więch, A. Szkop, Jakub Wink, Agnieszka CzerwińskaAbstract:Abstract Statistical analysis of the daily course of exposures to TL-01 tube radiation for 93 psoriatic patients from the Medical University of Łodź during 20-day phototherapy shows that the dose of 1 J/cm 2 represents a unit of single exposure necessary for psoriasis healing. This value is converted to the antipsoriatic effective dose of 317.9 J/m 2 using the TL-01 lamp irradiance spectrum and the antipsoriatic action spectrum. It is proposed that the daily exposure of 317.9 J/m 2 serves as the standard antipsoriatic dose (SAPD) providing a link between the cabinet and the out-door exposures and it could be used for planning Heliotherapy in Poland. A model is proposed to calculate ambient antipsoriatic doses for 3 h exposures around the local noon (9 am–12 am GMT) based on satellite measurements of ozone and cloud characteristics. The model constants are determined by a comparison with pertaining antipsoriatic doses measured by the Brewer spectrophotometer in central Poland. It is found that 3 h exposures to solar radiation in the period 15 May–15 September provides the mean (2005–2013) doses in the range 2.7–3.1 SAPD over Poland. Thus, Heliotherapy could be treated as an alternative to the cabinet phototherapy for almost 4 months. It seems that the most effective site for antipsoriatic Heliotherapy is the south/east part of Poland (the Bieszczady Mountains). The Heliotherapy could be carried out in existing national health centers equipped with the standard easy-to-use biometers for on-line monitoring of UV level and controlling duration of sunbathing to avoid erythema risks. It is even possible to control the antipsoriatic Heliotherapy by a patient himself, using low-cost hand-held instruments measuring UV index.
-
Effectiveness of Heliotherapy for psoriasis clearance in low and mid-latitudinal regions: a theoretical approach.
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 2012Co-Authors: Janusz W. Krzyścin, Joanna Narbutt, Aleksandra Lesiak, Piotr Sobolewski, Janusz Jarosławski, Bonawentura Rajewska-więch, Mariola PawlaczykAbstract:Abstract The action spectrum for psoriasis clearance is reconstructed taking into account the results obtained in the early 1980s. The antipsoriatic action spectrum is used for weighting the medical cabinet UV spectra, and the solar spectra measured in San Diego (USA) and Belsk (Poland). The mean cumulative antipsoriatic effective dose of 450 mJ cm−2, due to TL-01 (UVB narrowband) tubes, is taken by a patient with skin phototype II during routine 20 phototherapy sessions carried out in a phototherapy cabinet in the Medical University of Łodz. Thus, the daily mean dose of value 22.5 mJ cm−2 is proposed as the threshold for daily solar dose for numbers of out-door exposures to clear psoriasis. We assume that the Heliotherapy will last a whole month with every day 2 h exposition to the direct sunlight around local noon. The Heliotherapy will be successful if weather conditions permit at least 20 days with the daily exposure over the threshold. The minimum cumulative ambient erythemal dose, necessary for psoriasis clearance, is estimated as 144 standard erythema dose (SED) for the whole Heliotherapy period. We find that Heliotherapy could be effectively used in March through October (San Diego) and in June through August (Belsk). Thus, the Heliotherapy against psoriasis is possible not only at southern resorts but even at the mid-latitude sites.
-
Space-based estimation of the solar UV-B doses for psoriasis Heliotherapy in Poland using OMI data for the period 2005–2011
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 2012Co-Authors: Janusz W. Krzyścin, Joanna Narbutt, Aleksandra Lesiak, Piotr Sobolewski, Janusz Jarosławski, Bonawentura Rajewska-więch, Mariola Pawlaczyk, M. JanouchAbstract:Abstract A UV model is proposed to reconstruct the biologically weighted doses at the ground-level, erythemal, vitamin D 3 , and antipsoriatic effective doses, based on the space data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument on board of NASA EOS Aura spacecraft for the period 2005–2011. The model is training using the results of spectral UV measurements carried out at Belsk, Poland. The model outcome is verified using the UV spectra measured at Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. The model uncertainty is almost the same for all examined action spectra and comparable to that found in earlier studies on differences between the satellite overpasses and ground-based erythemal data. Antipsoriatic doses, taken during 2 h exposure periods near local noon, are reconstructed for selected sites in Poland to find if Heliotherapy would be an alternative to standard treatment of psoriasis by tube irradiation in medical cabinets. Mountain-resort in the southern Poland, Zakopane, and rural-site in Central Poland, Belsk, are among the best location of potential Heliotherapy centers in Poland for late spring/summer season. Łeba, resort on the Baltic Sea coast, is a potential Heliotherapy center in June and July. The methodology to disclose possible Heliotherapy periods over the territory of Poland could be extended to any region. It would help to prepare an optimal schedule of antipsoriatic Heliotherapy that accounts for local weather conditions and medical standards of using UV cabinets.
E Snellman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Effect of Heliotherapy on the cost of psoriasis.
British Journal of Dermatology, 1998Co-Authors: E Snellman, T Maljanen, A Aromaa, A Reunanen, T Jyrkinen-pakkasvirta, J LuomaAbstract:A 2-year trial was conducted to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Heliotherapy for psoriasis. The course and cost of psoriasis of 46 Finnish patients were first closely monitored for 1 year, then the patients received a 4-week supervised Heliotherapy treatment in the Canary Islands, Spain, after which they continued to be followed for another year. Heliotherapy dramatically reduced the severity of psoriasis and also seemed to have favourable long-term effects on psoriasis. The mean direct cost of the 4-week Heliotherapy for one patient was FIM12,289 (1 Pound = FIM7.0 in 1989). The cost of flights and half-board in Spain formed nearly 60% (FIM7033) of the total cost. In the year preceding Heliotherapy, the mean direct annual cost of antipsoriasis therapy was FIM7335 and in the year after FIM5700, a reduction of 22% in annual costs; this change was not statistically significant because there were large variations in costs among patients. The costs of Heliotherapy exceeded manyfold the mean monthly cost of conventional psoriasis therapy. There were no overall savings using Heliotherapy in those patients suffering mainly from moderately severe psoriasis. Heliotherapy saved costs only in those patients with severe psoriasis that required expensive medication or ward treatment. Although Heliotherapy cannot be regarded as an economical treatment for the average patients with psoriasis, it clears psoriasis effectively and is preferred by patients. Thus, Heliotherapy constitutes an alternative for patients suffering severe psoriasis.
-
Effect of Heliotherapy on skin and joint symptoms in psoriasis: a 6-month follow-up study
British Journal of Dermatology, 1993Co-Authors: E Snellman, A Aromaa, A Reunanen, J Luoma, Christer T. Jansén, J Lauharanta, Jyrkinen-pakkasvirta T, M Kallio, J WaalAbstract:The effect of Heliotherapy on psoriasis skin lesions and arthritis was studied in a trial comprising 4 weeks of therapy in the Canary Islands and a 6-month follow-up period. A total of 373 patients participated in the Heliotherapy and 361 patients completed the follow-up period. The severity of skin lesions was evaluated using a psoriasis severity index (PSI), and that of the arthropathy by using an arthritis index (AI). During Heliotherapy, the PSI decreased significantly from the initial median value of 4.5 to the final value of 0.2. A reduction in the PSI of at least 75% was achieved in 84% of the patients. Guttate psoriasis improved significantly better than plaque-type or erythrodermic psoriasis. There was no correlation between skin type and improvement. Initially, 129 patients had symptoms of arthritis. During Heliotherapy, the AI decreased significantly from the initial median value of 6 to the final value of 2. The median time until starting another treatment after Heliotherapy was 80 days, and the PSI had returned to its original value in 49% of the patients in 6 months. In patients with joint symptoms the AI returned to the pretreatment level within 6 months. A 4-week Heliotherapy period effectively cleared psoriasis, alleviated joint symptoms, and reduced both morbidity and treatment requirement to a considerable extent in the ensuing 6-month period.
-
Comparison of the antipsoriatic efficacy of Heliotherapy and ultraviolet B: a cross-over study.
Photodermatology photoimmunology & photomedicine, 1992Co-Authors: E SnellmanAbstract:Ten psoriasis patients who underwent a 4-week Heliotherapy period in the Canary Islands were treated with ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy at relapse, 2-24 months later. In both settings, psoriasis improvement was monitored using a psoriasis severity index (PSI), and UV exposure was recorded with polysulphone films. In the 8 patients that could be evaluated, a median healing rate of 94% was recorded in the Heliotherapy period, with a median cumulative UV dose of 46 erythemal units (EU). In the UVB phototherapy, a median improvement rate of 86% was found after a median cumulative UV dose of 112 EU. It is concluded that, on an erythemal UV dose basis, Heliotherapy was more effective than UVB phototherapy in treating psoriasis.
J Luoma - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Effect of Heliotherapy on the cost of psoriasis.
British Journal of Dermatology, 1998Co-Authors: E Snellman, T Maljanen, A Aromaa, A Reunanen, T Jyrkinen-pakkasvirta, J LuomaAbstract:A 2-year trial was conducted to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Heliotherapy for psoriasis. The course and cost of psoriasis of 46 Finnish patients were first closely monitored for 1 year, then the patients received a 4-week supervised Heliotherapy treatment in the Canary Islands, Spain, after which they continued to be followed for another year. Heliotherapy dramatically reduced the severity of psoriasis and also seemed to have favourable long-term effects on psoriasis. The mean direct cost of the 4-week Heliotherapy for one patient was FIM12,289 (1 Pound = FIM7.0 in 1989). The cost of flights and half-board in Spain formed nearly 60% (FIM7033) of the total cost. In the year preceding Heliotherapy, the mean direct annual cost of antipsoriasis therapy was FIM7335 and in the year after FIM5700, a reduction of 22% in annual costs; this change was not statistically significant because there were large variations in costs among patients. The costs of Heliotherapy exceeded manyfold the mean monthly cost of conventional psoriasis therapy. There were no overall savings using Heliotherapy in those patients suffering mainly from moderately severe psoriasis. Heliotherapy saved costs only in those patients with severe psoriasis that required expensive medication or ward treatment. Although Heliotherapy cannot be regarded as an economical treatment for the average patients with psoriasis, it clears psoriasis effectively and is preferred by patients. Thus, Heliotherapy constitutes an alternative for patients suffering severe psoriasis.
-
Effect of Heliotherapy on skin and joint symptoms in psoriasis: a 6-month follow-up study
British Journal of Dermatology, 1993Co-Authors: E Snellman, A Aromaa, A Reunanen, J Luoma, Christer T. Jansén, J Lauharanta, Jyrkinen-pakkasvirta T, M Kallio, J WaalAbstract:The effect of Heliotherapy on psoriasis skin lesions and arthritis was studied in a trial comprising 4 weeks of therapy in the Canary Islands and a 6-month follow-up period. A total of 373 patients participated in the Heliotherapy and 361 patients completed the follow-up period. The severity of skin lesions was evaluated using a psoriasis severity index (PSI), and that of the arthropathy by using an arthritis index (AI). During Heliotherapy, the PSI decreased significantly from the initial median value of 4.5 to the final value of 0.2. A reduction in the PSI of at least 75% was achieved in 84% of the patients. Guttate psoriasis improved significantly better than plaque-type or erythrodermic psoriasis. There was no correlation between skin type and improvement. Initially, 129 patients had symptoms of arthritis. During Heliotherapy, the AI decreased significantly from the initial median value of 6 to the final value of 2. The median time until starting another treatment after Heliotherapy was 80 days, and the PSI had returned to its original value in 49% of the patients in 6 months. In patients with joint symptoms the AI returned to the pretreatment level within 6 months. A 4-week Heliotherapy period effectively cleared psoriasis, alleviated joint symptoms, and reduced both morbidity and treatment requirement to a considerable extent in the ensuing 6-month period.
-
Supervised four-week Heliotherapy alleviates the long-term course of psoriasis.
Acta dermato-venereologica, 1993Co-Authors: Snellman E, A Aromaa, A Reunanen, J Luoma, Christer T. Jansén, J Lauharanta, Jyrkinen-pakkasvirta T, J WaalAbstract:The long-term effects of psoriasis Heliotherapy were studied in a randomized cross-over trial with a 2-year follow-up. We allocated 95 patients randomly to receive a 4-week Heliotherapy course, either at the onset or in the middle of the follow-up period. After a highly significant immediate alleviation of psoriasis about 50% of the patients still had a reduction of psoriasis 6 months later and about 25% one year later. A favourable carry-over treatment effect was still observed during the second follow-up year. Taking advantage of the cross-over design, the effect of Heliotherapy was calculated to be statistically significant during the first follow-up year, and the apparent long-term alleviation of psoriasis after the Heliotherapy was reflected in a significant period effect. The alleviation of psoriasis was accompanied by a significant decrease in the use of antipsoriatic treatments.