Clinical profile of psoriasis in North India

Abstract

A prospective study of 530 patients of psoriasis drawn from northern parts of India revealed a male preponderance; 60% patients having onset before the age of 30 years; youngest age at onset being one week and the oldest 72 years. Family history was positive in 14% cases. Only 30% psoriatics showed clear cut worsening in winter months. Skin and scalp were the commonest sites; 54% had nail changes when first seen and in 8 patients involvement of nails was the only manifestation of psoriasis. Joint symptoms were present in 10% of cases but frank arthritis was seen in only 7cases. The presence of joint affection was invariably associated with nail abnormalities. Psoriatic arthritis among the Indian patients is not only rare but shows a milder course as compared to the western countries.