Analysis of the cost effectiveness of home-based phototherapy with narrow-band UV-B radiation compared with biological drugs for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis

Vañó-Galván S, Gárate M, Fleta-Asín B, Hidalgo Á, Fernández-Guarino M, Bermejo T, Jaén P

Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2012;103(2):127-137.

Fundamental components that must be considered when selecting an appropriate line of therapy for treating psoriasis are effectiveness, efficiency, and cost. Each factor is taken into consideration when deciding between using home-based phototherapy and biologic drugs. This article states “the costs associated with effective treatment using biologic drugs in a single patient would provide effective home-based phototherapy for 9.1 patients.” In addition to this comment, it was also determined that “home phototherapy was more efficient than biologic therapy in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Home-based phototherapy represents a cost-effective treatment for patients.”