CRP serum level in patients with psoriasis before and after treatment with narrow-band ultraviolete B

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory biomarker and its level increases in serum of psoriatic patients. Its level is also associated with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. CRP serum levels in patients with psoriasis were measured before and after treatment with narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) and the data were analyzed in relation the PASI score improvement. Baseline CRP levels among psoriatic patients were higher than normal. These levels decreased significantly after treatment. At the beginning of the study, patients with higher levels of CRP also had more extensive and severe skin involvement. Highest decrease in CRP was observed in patients who responded better to the treatment and acheived higher PASI 75%. There was an association between baseline PASI scores and CRP levels. Patients with moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis had systemic inflammation too, which was demonstrated by having higher levels of CRP. Skin disease activity also was associated with higher levels of CRP. Phototherapy healed the psoriatic skin lesions and also reduced inflammation and decreased CRP levels.