Cost effectiveness of home ultraviolet B phototherapy for psoriasis: economic evaluation of a randomized controlled trial (PLUTO study)

Koek M, Sigurdsson V, van Weelden H, Steegmans P, Bruijnzeel-Koomen C, Buskens E

BMJ 2010;340:c1490  doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.c1490

Phototherapy with ultraviolet B (UVB) light has proven to be a highly effective treatment option for patients with psoriasis. A study by Koek, Sigurdsson, van Weelden, et al. investigated the cost effectiveness of home phototherapy versus clinical phototherapy. The authors concluded that UVB light therapy treatments in an at-home setting did not cost more for a patient than receiving the equivalent treatments at an outpatient location. “Since both treatment strategies are equally effective and safe, and patients prefer treatment at home, we consider home phototherapy should be the primary treatment option for patients who are clinically eligible for phototherapy with ultraviolet B light.”