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Juvenile generalized pustular psoriasis is a chronic recalcitrant disease: an analysis of 27 patients seen in a tertiary hospital in Johor, Malaysia
Author(s) -
Lau BiWen,
Lim DeeZhen,
Capon Francesca,
Barker Jonathan N.,
Choon SiewEng
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/ijd.13489
Subject(s) - medicine , generalized pustular psoriasis , psoriasis , leukocytosis , acitretin , arthritis , pustular psoriasis , pediatrics , dermatology
Background Limited information exists regarding juvenile generalized pustular psoriasis ( GPP ). We aim to determine the clinical profile and outcome of Malaysians with juvenile GPP . Methods Review of hospital case notes on patients with juvenile GPP . Results Twenty‐seven patients with juvenile GPP were identified. Female to male ratio was 1.4:1. The median age at onset of GPP was 6.5 years. Ten patients had prior psoriasis with a median pre‐pustular duration of 2.7 years. Onset of GPP was earlier in patients without prior psoriasis (5.1 years vs. 12.0 years, P = 0.002). Precipitating factors identified included stress, upper respiratory tract infection, systemic steroid use, vaccination, and pregnancy. A positive family history of psoriasis and GPP was present in six and one patient(s), respectively. Twenty‐one patients had acute, five annular, and one localized variant of GPP . Arthritis was present in 22.2%. Fever, leukocytosis, and transaminitis were mainly seen in patients with acute GPP at 80.9, 72.2, and 11.1%, respectively. Among 20 patients screened, eight carry IL 36 RN variants and one has CARD 14 mutation. IL 36 RN ‐positive patients have more severe disease characterized by early onset, low prevalence of prior plaque psoriasis, high prevalence of systemic inflammation, and need for continuous long‐term systemic therapy. Acitretin and cyclosporine were effective in aborting acute GPP in 100% of 16 and 66.7% of six patients treated, respectively. However, relapses were common. Only three of the 17 patients whose initial acute GPP was controlled with systemic agents were successfully weaned off treatment. Conclusions Juvenile GPP is a chronic recalcitrant disease. IL 36 RN ‐positive patients have more severe disease.