Influence of traditional Chinese medicine fumigation on PASI and recurrence in patients with psoriasis vulgaris under different temperature conditions

GU Lei; WANG Fengjuan; ZHANG Mengying

doi:10.12102/j.issn.2095-8668.2025.10.016

Abstract：Objective: To explore the effect of traditional Chinese medicine fumigation at different temperatures on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score and recurrence in patients with plaque psoriasis (PsV). Methods: A total of 128 patients with PsV hospitalized in the dermatology department of the Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2021 to September 2023 were selected. They were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C, D), each with 32 patients. All groups received traditional Chinese medicine fumigation + narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) irradiation + topical calcipotriol ointment treatment. The temperature and duration of traditional Chinese medicine fumigation were set as follows: Group A: 38°C, 20 minutes; Group B: 38°C, 30 minutes; Group C: 40°C, 20 minutes; Group D: 40°C, 30 minutes. All groups were treated for 10 days. The PASI scores, clinical efficacy, treatment satisfaction, and recurrence rates were compared among the four groups. Results: Three cases were withdrawn from the study (1 case in Group A, 1 case in Group C, 1 case in Group D). After treatment, the PASI scores of all four groups were lower than before treatment, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the effects of time and the interaction between time and temperature (P > 0.05); however, there was a statistically significant difference in the temperature effect (P < 0.05). Further analysis showed that, under the same temperature, there was no significant difference in PASI scores between the 20-minute group and the 30-minute group (P > 0.05). Under the same time, the PASI score of the 38°C group was higher than that of the 40°C group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The overall improvement in Groups C and D was better than that in Groups A and B, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The satisfaction of Groups B and C was higher than that of Groups A and D, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in recurrence rates after 3 months and 6 months of treatment among the four groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Traditional Chinese medicine fumigation can reduce the PASI score in patients with PsV, improve the overall treatment effect and patient satisfaction. It is recommended to use the traditional Chinese medicine fumigation therapy at 40°C for 20 minutes.