Erythroderma: study of clinico- etiology and complications from Western India

Background: Erythroderma is extreme state of skin irritation involving more than 90 percent of skin surface area having many underlying causes. Aim: 1. To check for epidemiological factors in erythroderma. 2.To study clinical features of erythroderma. 3. To identify the aetiology of erythroderma. 4. To describe the complications of erythroderma Materials and Methods: This study was performed at the department of dermatology in a tertiary care hospital of Western India. We studied 31 cases of erythroderma for epidemiology, clinical features, clinical course and complications. Clinico-pathological correlation was done for aetiology of erythroderma. Statistical method used: student t test unpaired and chi square test Results: The mean age of onset was 43.99 years with a male to female ratio of 2.1:1. The clinical features found were redness, scaling, pruritus, fever, chills, lymphadenopathy and edema. On clinicopathological correlation the most common aetiology found was psoriasis vulgaris, (35.48%). This was followed by drug (included both drug induced erythroderma and DRESS syndrome) (22.5%). Remaining cases belonged to dermatitis (16.12%) (Contact dermatitis (two), photoallergic dermatitis (three)), and 6.45% (n=2) patients belonged to each of pemphigus foliaceus, NBIE, paraneoplastic dermatomyositis and generalised pustular psoriasis. Complications like hypoproteinemia (45.16%), electrolyte imbalance (45.16%), temperature dysregulation (22.5%) and secondary infection (32.25%) were observed. Limitations: Follow up of cases was not studied to know the long term sequel. Conclusion: Clinical features were identical irrespective of aetiology. Detailed clinic-pathological examination helps to establish the aetiology of erythroderma. Monitoring of vitals and biochemical parameters is essential for early diagnosis of complications and its management.