Evaluation of ABO blood types in various dermatoses in Kashmiri population: a case control study

To evaluate any association between various ABO blood types and different dermatoses, viz, psoriasis, vitiligo, alopecia areata and pemphigus vulgaris. This hospital-based, case-control study involved evaluation of ABO blood typing of 140 cases of psoriasis, 76 vitiligo, 84 alopecia areata and 30 pemphigus vulgaris, and 2067 controls. O blood group was found in 37.1% patients of psoriasis, followed by blood type B [30%] and blood group A [25.7%], without any significant difference between cases and controls. In vitiligo patients, B blood group was found in 47.4% patients, followed by blood group O [36.8%] and blood group A [10.5%]. The results between vitiligo patients and controls regarding blood group A and B were statistically significant. In alopecia areata patients, blood group B was found in 45.2% patients, followed by blood group O [28.6%] and blood group A [19%], the difference being not statistically significant. In pemphigus vulgaris patients, O and B blood group were found in 40% patients each, followed by blood group A [20%], but this was not statistically significant. In psoriasis patients in our study, blood group O was the most common, but without any statistical significance than the controls. In vitiligo patients, B blood group was the most common and this was statistically significant. Difference in the blood group A, although found less frequently than B and O blood group, was also statistically significant between study group and controls. In alopecia areata, B blood group was the most common, but this finding was not statistically significant when compared to controls. In pemphigus patients, blood group O and B were equally common, but this was not statistically significant than the controls.

Emergency dermatology and need of dermatological intensive care unit [DICU]

Dermatological emergencies comprise diseases with severe alterations in structure and function of the skin, with some of them leading to acute skin failure that demands early diagnosis, hospitalization, careful monitoring and multidisciplinary intensive care to minimize the associated morbidity and mortality. Prompt intensive management of acute skin failure in the ICU on the lines of 100% burns is mandatory; clearly establishing the necessity of a dedicated intensive care unit comprising of well synchronized team of dermatologist, internist, pediatrician, critical care physician and skilled nursing staff. In this article, we review the literature and discuss the major causes of dermatological emergencies, some of which lead to acute skin failure and lay stress for their management in ICU like set up attached to dermatology department itself, i.e., dermatological intensive care unit [DICU], so that such emergencies may be dealt with more effectively and without wastage of time. DICU should be equipped to such an extent that it provides initial, immediate and necessary support and it need not be as advanced and sophisticated as cardiac, surgical or neonatal ICU