Padmaja Pinjala1, Madhu Babu Chekuri2, Rajeev Singh Thakur3, Fariya Rasheed4, Yashwanth5
BACKGROUND
Erythroderma is the term applied to any inflammatory skin disease which affects more than 90% of the body surface. The extensive inflammation of large areas of the skin puts a great brunt on the entire metabolism of the body. Many organ systems are involved and secondarily affected. We studied the Erythroderma and Cardiovascular complications in 25 patients at DVL Department, Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad between January 2011 to January 2012.
METHODS
A total of 25 patients of Erythroderma attending the DVL OPD as well as those admitted in the ward were included in the study. Examination of other systems with special emphasis to cardiovascular system was done in all the cases. All the patients were subjected to all the routine investigations. Chest X-ray and ultrasound abdomen was done in all the cases. Cardiovascular complications were assessed by doing ECG and 2D Echo. All the patients were admitted. In suspected drug induced cases, all the non-essential drugs were stopped. All the patients were managed conservatively with specific treatment depending on the need.
RESULTS
Out of 25 cases studied, majority were in the age group of 41-50 years and showed male preponderance. In majority of patients, the common cause of Erythroderma was pre-existing dermatoses like Psoriasis and eczema. The next common being the drugs. Among the psoriasis, the Chronic Plaque type was the commonest progressing to erythroderma. In majority of cases, most of the body surface was involved.
CONCLUSION
In our study, the mean age of presentation was seen in the middle aged groups. Majority of the cases were secondary to pre-existing dermatoses. Psoriasis was the single most common cause of Erythroderma. Antiepileptics were commonest cause for drug-induced erythroderma. Cardiovascular abnormalities were seen in 40% of cases of erythroderma. ECG and 2D Echo showed cardiac abnormalities in those cases of erythroderma which were mainly psoriatic induced.
