Clinical features of Korean patients with psoriatic arthritis / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aims of our study were to reassess the prevalence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Korean patients with psoriasis and to evaluate their clinical features according to gender. METHODS: We evaluated 156 consecutive patients with psoriasis who visited the dermatology clinic in Seoul National University Hospital between the September 2004 and January 2005. A dermatologist diagnosed psoriasis and determined its type and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). Medical interview, joint examination and diagnosis of PsA were made by a rheumatologist. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (14.1%) were diagnosed with PsA among patients with psoriasis. Pustular psoriasis were more frequent in patients with PsA (47.4%) than those without arthritis (9.2%), and plaque psoriasis were less frequent in patients with PsA (42.1%) than those without arthritis (82.6%). Nail change was found in 77.3%, being more common compared to those without PsA (51.2%). Psoriasis was followed by arthritis in 81.8% of PsA patients with the interval of 15.3+/-9.7 years (mean+/-SD). Spondylitis was predominant (36.4%). Clinical features were similar between men and women. However, males with PsA had a shorter duration of psoriasis, and older onset of arthritis than females. CONCLUSION: We characterized the clinical features of PsA in Korean patients on single center base. The prevalence of PsA in patients with psoriasis was 14.1%. Plaque type psoriasis was less common and pustular psoriasis was more common in patients with PsA than those without arthritis. Males with PsA had a shorter duration of psoriasis and older onset of arthritis than females.

A Case of Lentigo Maligna Melanoma / 대한피부과학회지

Herein we report a case of lentigo maligna that evolved into lentigo maligna melanoma. Fifteen years ago, the patient developed a pigmented lesion on the right cheek. The lesion progressed slowly, and 2 months ago, a black nodular lesion was developed in the periphery of the pigmented lesion. Histopathologic examination of the lesions revealed findings consistent with lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanorna. She had been performed wide excision and cheek flap for reconstruction.

A Case of Acute Febrile Neutrophilic Dermatosis (Sweet's Sundrom) / 대한피부과학회지

We presented a case of acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet's syndrome) in 57 years-old female. This case is the 31 st case in the literature and the first case in Korea. Erythematous plaque was presented on the face with tendency of recurrences. Histologically a dense inflammatory cell infiltration composed predominantly of polymorphonuclear neutrophiles, lmphocytes and histiocytes was seen in dermis. Positive laboratory findings were polymorphonuclear leukocytosis and elevated ESR. The symptoms were well centrolled with orally administered preclnisolone.