Platelet Count, Mean Platelet Volume, and Red Cell Distribution Width as Markers for Psoriasis Severity.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that is growing in prevalence globally. Routinely available options to assess psoriasis severity and progression are limited. More options are needed to monitor disease progression as therapeutic management is based on disease severity. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the usage of complete blood count components (CBC) including platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), and red cell distribution width (RDW) as hematological markers for assessing psoriasis severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study of 120 patients with psoriasis, disease severity was assessed using the PASI score followed by a blood draw to determine whether correlations existed between each marker and PASI score. RESULTS: A significant, positive correlation was found between total platelet count and PASI while no such correlation was found in MPV and RDW. When stratifying for age, duration of disease, sex, and body parts involved, we found intriguing relationships and offer potential explanations for their occurrence. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that hematological parameters MPV, platelet count, and RDW found in the CBC are useful in identifying psoriasis severity to some extent. We foresee the use of RDW, MPV, and platelet count biomarkers as a complement to the PASI score in assessing severity for psoriasis patients, while also as a gauge for likelihood of developing comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(2):156-161. doi:10.36849/JDD.6127.

Association Of Clinical Diagnosis With Histopathology In Various Skin Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Dermatological diagnosis are mainly clinical; however, skin biopsies are frequently done to support clinical diagnosis when in doubt. Aim of this study is to relate the clinical diagnosis of various dermatological conditions with histopathological diagnosis. METHODS: In this descriptive prospective study, 223 patients were enrolled from dermatology OPD at Benazir Bhutto Hospital through non-probability consecutive sampling. Patients were diagnosed clinically and skin biopsies of all patients were taken after informed consent and clinical data was sent to a histopathologist. RESULTS: Patients between ages of 2-85 years were evaluated. Mean age was 39.65±19.43 years. Out of total 223 patients 112 were males and 111 were females. Clinical diagnosis was same as histopathological diagnosis in 180 (80.7%). Out of 80.7% cases, most common disorder was Eczema, 18 cases (10%). The diseases lying in the inflammatory dermatosis group have highest sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV, i.e., 91.2%, 90.8%, 84.1% and 86.8% respectively. The discordance between clinical and histological diagnosis was highest in infectious disease group. The concordance between clinical and histological diagnosis in infectious diseases was just 28%. CONCLUSIONS: Documenting a histological diagnosis is essential in dermatology as most of the dermatosis have mimicking clinical presentation. The inflammatory lesions have superior clinical and histopathological correlation as compared to infectious diseases and therefore dermatologists should try to biopsy infective dermatosis more often rather than relying on clinical judgment solely.