Effect of Korean medicine as add-on therapy to phototherapy for psoriasis

RATIONALE: Psoriasis is a common chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease. Here, we describe 2 patients who presented with psoriasis to illustrate the potential efficacy of Korean medicine treatment combined with phototherapy. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 33-year-old female (Case 1) and a 37-year-old male (Case 2) presented at the clinic with symptoms of itching, erythema, and scaliness. DIAGNOSIS: Both patients were diagnosed with psoriasis based on the locations of erythema, as well as the appearance of circumscribed scaly papules and plaques. INTERVENTIONS: Patients underwent 5 months (Case 1) and 8 months (Case 2) of treatments with acupuncture, herbal medicine, probiotics, and phototherapy. OUTCOMES: After treatment, the patients improved in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score from 7 to 1.2 (Case 1), and 23.2 to 2.2 (Case 2). LESSONS: These outcomes suggest that Korean medicine therapies combined with phototherapy may be effective for resolution of psoriasis; however, further research is needed to confirm these findings.