Study - A comparative study of PUVASOL therapy in lichen planus

Background: PUVA therapy is reported to be effective in lichen planus. However, PUVASOL therapy is more easily available in India. Aim: To carry out a three way open comparison of oral PUVASOL therapy with oral metronidazole and with the conventional oral antihistamine plus topical steroid therapy. Material and Methods: Seventy-five cases of lichen planus were studied for 12 weeks with three different modalities: 1. Oral metronidazole and topical emollient cream, 2. Oral PUVASOL and topical emollient cream, and 3. Oral cetirizine and topical betamethasone dipropionate cream. Lesions were assessed before starting the treatment and after every 4 weeks. Results: Seventy patients completed the trial. Statistical analysis showed that therapy 1 was less effective than 2 and 3, which were found to be equally effective. Conclusion: It is concluded that PUVASOL therapy is a useful alternative to conventional therapy in lichen planus in our country where sunlight is available in plenty.