Serum Neopterin Level in Psoriatic Patients treated with Acitretin or Narrowband Ultraviolet B or Both

Abstract Background A biological indicator of cellular immunity is neopterin. In certain studies, psoriasis patients had higher serum and urine neopterin levels, which reduced following therapy. Aims To evaluate effect of acitretin versus Narrowband UVB and combination of them on psoriasis vulgaris and correlate it with neopterin level. Patients and methods: In this case-control research, a total of 120 respondents (30 healthy volunteers served as the control group in addition to 90 psoriasis patients randomly allocated into three equal groups: Group (I): 30 patients were received Acitretin for 3months. Group (II): 30 patients were treated with NB-UVB. Group (III): 30 patients were received Acitretin and Narrowband UVB (3session /week) for 3 months. Serum neopterin levels were be measured pre and post treatment. All patients were clinically and photographically evaluated using Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI score. Results In this study, statistically significant higher serum neopterin levels have been found in psoriatic patients than healthy controls. We found a significant decrease in PASI scores was detected in all groups. The relative reduction percentage in the PASI score was substantially different between groups (p < 0.001). The highest decrease percentage in PASI score was reported in group III compared to group II (NB-UVB) and group I (Acitretin group), p < 0.001). The median s. neopterin levels after treatment varied substantially amongst the three groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion When compared to healthy controls, serum neopterin levels in psoriatic patients were substantially greater (p < 0.05).