Photodynamic therapy for warts
DOUBLE-BLIND TRIAL
This double-blind, randomised trial compared the efficacy of photodynamic therapy with topical pre-treatment with 5-aminolaevulinic acid or placebo.
Patients had recalcitrant warts which had proved resistant to standard first-line treatment. 232 warts on 45 patients were entered into the trial.
Endpoints were:
- wart size measured from photographs taken at entry then weeks 7, 14 & 18
- pain score
A clearance rate of 56% was achieved with photodynamic therapy.
Notes:
- all warts in this study, both in the placebo group and the treatment group, were also treated with paring and topical salicylic acid
- adverse effects included itching and burning during therapy as well as pain during and following treatment and formation of blisters
Reference:
- Stender, I-M, Na, R. et al.. Photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolaevulinic acid or placebo for recalcitrant foot and hand warts: randomised double-blind trial. Lancet 2000; 355: 963-66.
- Prescriber 2004; 5(24):36-44.
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