الفهرس 
PsoriasisOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 223 |  |  |
| | | from | 223 | | |
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease
mostly characterized by red, scaly, sharply demarcated, indurated
plaques. Commonly affecting the scalp, trunk, elbows, knees and
genital areas but can affect any part of the body including nails.
Psoriasis is a genetically determined disease mainly driven
by abnormal differentiation secondary to activation of T- cells or
antigen presenting cells, which in turn release various chemokines
and cytokines that signal keratinocytes to hyperproliferate.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is one of the most important
inflammatory cytokines. It is a component of normal human skin
and it has been immunologically detected in basal keratinocytes,
endothelial cells, mononuclear cells and fibroblasts. IL-6 plays a
central role in a variety of host defense mechanisms, such as the
immune response, hematopoiesis and acute-phase reactions.
Phototherapy such as NB-UVB therapy has become one of
the most commonly used modality for the treatment of a variety of
skin diseases including psoriasis.
The aim of this work was to evaluate the role of IL-6 in the
pathogenesis of psoriasis, to determine the effect of NB-UVB therapy
on serum IL-6 level in patients with psoriasis and to determine the
relationship between serum IL-6 levels and disease activity after such
treatment. Sixty subjects; 30 patients with psoriasis and 30 age and sex
matched healthy controls were included. Each patient was subjected
to a detailed history taking and examination. Blood samples were
taken from all subjects to assess serum level of IL-6 by ELISA
Summary
131
technique before and after treatment. NB-UVB treatment sessions
were given for the patient group three times per week for 3 months.
Serum IL-6 levels and PASI scores were measured at the beginning of
the study and after 3months of treatment.
In the present study serum IL-6 levels in the patient group
were significantly greater than those of controls, in addition; serum
IL-6 levels decreased markedly in a statistically significant manner after
NB-UVB therapy in patients with psoriasis in comparison to pretreatment
levels.
Patients with psoriasis have elevated levels of pretreatment and
post treatment serum IL-6 in comparison to controls with significant
reduction of mean serum IL-6 level and PASI scores after NB-UVB.
There was a highly significant correlation between serum IL-6 level and
PASI scores among patients with psoriasis before and after treatment.
There was significant correlation between serum IL-6 level and duration
of disease in patients with psoriasis.