Study on the effect of Dead Sea climatotherapy on psoriasis

The aim of this study by the Siaal Research Center for Family Medicine and Primary Care was to evaluate the effectiveness of Dead Sea climatotherapy (KTM) in patients with psoriasis using the PASI score and a novel, simplified psoriasis assessment tool - the Beer Sheva Psoriasis Severity Score (BPSS).

A total of 70 patients with psoriasis were treated with KTM. In all patients, the severity of psoriasis before and after KTM was assessed using the PASI score and the BPSS. The BPSS comprises eight items recorded by the physician (overall severity of the conditions plus seven items on the physical distribution of the conditions) and eight items recorded by the patient (overall severity, physical and psychological severity, itching and assessment of involvement on the face, nails, palms and soles and genital area).

There was a 75.9% reduction in the PASI score. The BPSS was reduced by 57.5 %. The PASI score correlated significantly with the BPSS before the KTM treatment and after the KTM treatment.

Dead Sea climatotherapy is an effective therapy for patients with psoriasis, as assessed by either the PASI score or the BPSS. The BPSS was considered shorter and more user-friendly by the participating physicians.