Korean J Dermatol.
2002 Dec;40(12):1543-1546.
Low-dose PUVA Photochemotherapy in a Patient with Both Localized Scleroderma and Vitiligo
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea. dermy@hanmir.com
Abstract
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The etiology of scleroderma remains uncertain, but several pathomechanisms have been suggested including vascular alterations with endothelial cell damage, disturbances in the control of collagen synthesis and autoimmune activity. The association with other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disorder and vitiligo may favor the attribution of autoimmunity to its pathomechanism. But their association has been rarely reported. Psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) photochemotherapy is the most popular and effective therapeutic modality for vitiligo. And successful treatments of localized scleroderma with PUVA photochemotherapy have been reported, including topical, systemic, and bath PUVA. We report a case of successful treatment with low-dose systemic PUVA photochemotherapy for the patient, who has concurrently both the localized scleroderma and vitiligo.