Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery

Background: Combination of pulsed dye laser with topical medications was previously used in the treatment of psoriasis with good results. Purpose: The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of pulsed dye laser on psoriasis. Material & methods: Forty patients with chronic plaque psoriasis attending Department of Dermatology at El Matria Teaching Hospital were enrolled in this study; there were randomly divided into two groups A ,B .Group (A): received pulsed dye laser therapy (PDL) plus medications (0.05 % betamethasone dipropionate). Sessions were performed within 3-5 , average 4 sessions (two weeks apart for each one) for 2 months. Group (B): they received only medication once daily for 2 months. Pre and post psoriatic surface area and skin thickness by ultrasonography was recorded. Result: There was greater improvement in patients treated with pulsed dye laser than those treated with topical medications as evidence by ultrasonography and psoriasis surface area tools. Conclusions: From the finding of the current study we concluded that pulsed dye laser treatment has variable success in the treatment of plaque psoriasis, than other topical therapies

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