ABSTRACT
A cross sectional observational clinico epidemiological study on psoriasis was done on one thousand ethnic Kashmiri patients attending the Out patient Department of Dermatology,STD and Leprosy,Government Medical College Srinagar Kashmir over a period of six years (1999-2005).The patients were evaluated as regards the demographic profile,morphological or clinical type of psoriasis,involvement of joints,exacerbating factors especially infections (streptococcal sore throat),drug intake and winter exacerbation.The study revealed a male preponderance with peak age of occurrence in second or third decade of life.The predominant clinical type was seen to be Psoriasis vulgaris.Joint involvement was seen in 9.5 %of patients.Araised Anti Streptolysin titre was seen in 46.2% of acute guttate type.Drugs seen to be associated with exacerbation of disease included withdrawal of systemic corticosteroids,intake of Unani medicines and ACE inhibitors.An increased severity of the disease was seen in winter in 16.7 % of patients.The results of this study were consistent with the trend observed in other studies done in North India.