A CLINICO-HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF ACQUIRED PALMOPLANTAR KERATODERMA IN A RURAL-BASED TERTIARY HOSPITAL

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Palmoplantar keratodermas are a diverse group of dermatological disorders characterized by abnormal thickening of skin over palms and soles. It is classified into inherited and acquired disorders. A number of diseases have been implicated as the cause of this common and interesting group and not many studies have been done in the acquired subset of this disorder. We have undertaken this study for finding out the incidence of various etiological factors in a rural based tertiary hospital. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, and histopathological confirmation of acquired palmoplantar keratodermas (PPKD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consists of 100 consecutive patients aged 10 years and above, with acquired palmoplantar keratodermas seen in Dermatology Outpatient Department in a rural based tertiary hospital. RESULTS: Age of the patients ranged from 11 to 75 years and the common age group was 41 - 50 years. Male predominance (1.17:1) was seen in our study and farmers, manual laborers and house-wives were most commonly affected. The dermatoses causing PPKD in our study were palmoplantar psoriasis, eczema, lichen planus and warts. A rare case of acquired palmoplantar keratoderma secondary to lichenoid drug eruption was observed by us which was not reported in literature to best of our knowledge. Many cases could not be diagnosed by histopathology; systemic examination and other investigations were normal hence were classified under idiopathic PPKD. CONCLUSION: Psoriasis, eczemas, lichen planus and warts were the dermatoses causing PPKD in our study. A rare case of lichenoid drug eruption causing PPKD is being reported by us, which was not