A Clinico-epidemiologic Study of 75 Cases of Erythroderma.
- Author:
You In BAE
1
;
Sook Jung YUN
;
Jee Bum LEE
;
Seong Jin KIM
;
Seung Chul LEE
;
Young Ho WON
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea. yhwon@chonnam.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Erythroderma;
Generalized exfoliative dermatitis
- MeSH:
Biopsy;
Blood Sedimentation;
Dermatitis, Exfoliative;
Eating;
Eosinophilia;
Fever;
Humans;
Immunoglobulin E;
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase;
Leukocytosis;
Medical Records;
Prevalence;
Psoriasis;
Skin;
Skin Diseases
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2008;46(2):202-208
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Erythroderma, a generalized exfoliative dermatitis, is a rare but easily recognized skin condition with the potential for serious outcomes. Various conditions may be associated with the development of erythroderma. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, clinical, laboratory, histopathological findings and evolution of erythroderma and classify the various causes of the disease. METHODS: We reviewed medical records, skin biopsy results and clinical photos of 75 patients diagnosed with erythroderma from 1984 to 2006. RESULTS: The male-female ratio was 2.4:1. The mean age at diagnosis was 57 years. 26 out of 75 patients (34.7%) had a history of drug ingestion and a preexisting dermatosis. Nineteen patients (25.3%) remained undetermined. Four patients (5.3%) had concomitant malignancies. In the dermatosis induced group, 10 patients (38.4%) had psoriasis as a possible causative dermatologic disease. Fever (> or =38degrees C) was seen in 28% of patients. Laboratory abnormalities were seen in the order of leukocytosis, eosinophilia, elevated IgE level (>500 IU/ml), elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). There was a significant difference in the proportion of patients showing complete remission to treatment among the groups. In the group of patients who had a recent history of drug ingestion, 42% of patients showed complete remission, whereas the remaining groups, especially the group with preexisting dermatosis displayed only 8% of cases resulting in complete remission (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In our view, drug use or pre-existing dermatosis induced erythroderma compose the majority of cases. The differences in response rates among groups may give a more realistic estimation of clinical outcome and provide appropriate guidance to clinicians.
