Antinuclear antibodies are not induced by PUVA treatment in patients with uncomplicated psoriasis.

Abstract

Previous investigations of antinuclear antibody (ANA) prevalence in patients undergoing PUVA therapy reported contrasting results. However, ANA tests were performed on low-sensitivity substrates that do not allow investigation of anti-Ro (SS-A) antibodies. We assessed ANAs on a highly sensitive substrate. ANAs were assayed on HEp-2 cells at regular intervals in 238 patients with psoriasis who were treated with PUVA therapy for 1 to 5 years and in 118 untreated control subjects with psoriasis. In addition, radioimmunoassay and counterimmunoelectrophoresis studies of anti-DNA and anti-extractable nuclear antigen antibodies were performed. Low titers of ANA developed in three patients in at least two consecutive determinations and in 10 patients in a single determination despite continuing treatments. The positive conversion rate was not statistically significant. Radioimmunoassay counterimmunoelectrophoresis studies of anti-DNA and anti-extractable nuclear antigen antibodies were never positive. In our experience PUVA therapy does not represent a risk factor for the induction of anti-Ro antibodies and other ANAs.