A clinicopathological study of psoriasiform dermatitis

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis being an autoimmune disease, affecting almost 3% of the world's population has been an agonizing problem both to the patient and to the doctor who treat them. It has been confusing to the world since biblical times as to it origin and course. Though not contagious, contrary to the beliefs of our fore fathers, the disease is still associated with social stigma and thus has a negative psychological effect on the patient. Though not completely curable, the modern medicine can help in bringing down the severity of the disease if diagnosed correctly and thus uplift the sufferers. Methodology: This study was conducted on 75 patients who attended the OPD of the Department of Dermatology, Sree Gokulam Medical College and Research Foundation, with an aim to decrease the dilemma of diagnosing psoriasis and differentiating it from psoriasiform dermatitis for a period of one year. Results:The histopathological parameters were compared among the 53 patients who were divided into two groups, psoriasis and psoriasiform dermatitis. The different histopathological parameters were compared among these two groups. Of these parameters, parakeratosis, hypogranulosis, acanthosis, regular elongation of rete ridges, mitosis extending beyond the basal layer of epidermis, pallor in the upper layers of epidermis, suprapapillary thinning, dermal oedema and dilated and tortuous blood vessels in the papillary dermis have been evaluated as significant determinants to the diagnosis of psoriasis even in the absence of Munro microabscess and spongiform pustule of Kogoj. Conclusion:The study proved helpful in assessing the determinants that would favor the diagnosis of psoriasis in the absence of a classical histopathological picture, thus aiding in the treatment of the patient.