Comorbidities in psoriasis.

Moderate to severe psoriasis is associated with concomitant diseases that may have a significant impact on patients. It is necessary for the treating physician to recognize these concomitant diseases, known as comorbidities, early as they influence the management options. Important comorbidities are psoriatic arthritis, metabolic syndrome, Crohn's disease, depression, and cancer. Patients with severe psoriasis may be at an increased risk for myocardial infarction and this subgroup of patients tends to have a reduced life expectancy. The presence of co-morbid diseases is associated with an increase in concomitant medication, some of which may worsen psoriasis; conversely, systemic treatment of psoriasis with certain drugs may impact the co-morbid conditions. As dermatologists are the primary health-care providers for psoriasis, adequate knowledge of comorbidities helps in choosing the appropriate therapy as well as timely intervention.

Study of upper gastrointestinal tract involvement in pemphigus by esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: Involvement of upper gastrointestinal tract in pemphigus vulgaris is not uncommon. AIM: To study the involvement of upper gastrointestinal tract (UGIT) with the help of esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD) in patients of vesiculobullous dermatoses with emphasis on pemphigus vulgaris. METHODS: Forty-two patients (M-22, F-20) with vesiculobullous dermatoses, diagnosed on the basis of clinical features and skin histopathology as pemphigus vulgaris (PV)-40 patients and pemphigus foliaceus (PF)-2 patients were included in the study. The EGD was performed and mucosa of the esophagus, stomach and first part of the duodenum were examined. Mucosal biopsies were taken from the lower esophagus in 26 patients of PV and studied after H and E staining. RESULTS: On EGD, esophageal involvement was seen in 67% patients of PV (27/40). Of these, Grade I esophagitis was observed in seven, Grade II in 11, Grade III in four and Grade IV involvement was seen in five patients of PV. Three PV patients had associated esophageal candidiasis. Involvement of esophageal mucosa was also observed in one out of two patients of PF. Gastric mucosa was involved in 52% and duodenal mucosa in 20% of PV patients. Acantholysis was observed in seven out of 26 (27%) esophageal biopsies of PV patients. Two patients of PV vomited a tube-like structure, indicative of 'esophagitis dissecans superficialis'. The involvement of the gastric mucosa in patients with history of oral corticosteroid intake (60%) was compared to the group without history of oral corticosteroids (30%). CONCLUSION: Among PV patients under study, significant involvement of oral (87%), esophageal (67%), gastric (52%) and duodenal mucosa (20%) was observed.