A Clinical and Histopathological Study of Cutaneous Amyloidosis

Abstract

BACKGROUNDCutaneous amyloidosis refers to deposition of amyloid in the skin and can be primary or secondary. Systemic amyloidosis can also have skin involvement with amyloid deposits. Aims-1) To study the clinical presentation and the histopathological features of different types of cutaneous amyloidosis; 2) To study the association of cutaneous amyloidosis with other diseases; 3) To analyse the possible role of friction in inducing the condition. MATERIALS AND METHODSAll such patients during a period of one year were subjected to a detailed history taking, clinical examination, blood and urine investigations and histopathological evaluation including special stain for amyloid. Only biopsy-proven, Congo red positive cases were included in the study. Statistical Analysis: Method used was descriptive statistics. Design and Setting-The study is a case series of patients with clinical and histopathological features of cutaneous amyloidosis attending the outpatient wing of Department of Dermatology and Venereology, in a tertiary care teaching hospital. RESULTSThe clinical and histopathological features were studied and associations with other diseases were noted -26.3% had pre-existing pruritic skin diseases, 10.5% were diabetic and 7.9% were hypothyroid. History of usage of bath scrub was obtained from 76% patients and may be considered a major factor in the development of the condition. Limitations of the Study-Level of significance was not calculated to confirm associations assessed in this study. CONCLUSIONHistopathology is helpful to differentiate between macular and lichen amyloidosis. Cutaneous amyloidosis may often be associated with systemic disorders and hence must prompt one to investigate for them. Avoiding friction to the skin like use of bath-scrubs may help in preventing development of primary cutaneous amyloidosis.