BEHANDLUNG DES ATOPISCHEN EKZEMS WITH UVAPUR® - KLINISCHE UND IMMUNOLOGISCHE BEFUNDE

In 20 patients with atopic eczema UV therapy was performed for 6 weeks using the UVAPUR high pressure lamp. The skin condition was evaluated by a score system taking into account the area of skin involved and the severity of lesions. Improvement of ≥ 25% occurred in 12 patients, nine of whom were found to be improved ≥ 50% after another 8 weeks' observation time. Before treatment total serum IgW as well as prick test and RAST results with common inhalant allergens were not different in patients improving ≥ 25% and those who did not, and there was no significant change of these parameters during the course of therapy. Evaluation of the cellular immune reactivity to recall antigens in the skin test prior to therapy yielded significantly (P < 0.01) higher sums of reaction diameters in patients improving ≥ 25% than in those who did not (10.9 ± 3.5 mm vs. 4.9 ± 3.7 mm); no significant changes of reactivity occurred during and after therapy. UVAPUR treatment of atopic eczema is a worthwhile adjunctive modality in a number of patients. However, the efficacy of this regimen has to be established in each individual case.