Pattern of Psoriasis in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disorder characterized by erythematous plaques with silvery scales. It affects approximately 2–3% of the global population and represents a significant dermatological burden worldwide. The disease is multifactorial in origin, involving genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and immune dysregulation. Psoriasis commonly presents in several clinical forms including plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, and inverse psoriasis. Among these, chronic plaque psoriasis is the most prevalent form. The disease can occur at any age but shows bimodal peaks, typically in early adulthood and later in life.

 

Patients with psoriasis often experience systemic comorbidities such as psoriatic arthritis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. The chronic nature of the disease significantly affects the quality of life of patients due to social stigma, psychological stress, and physical discomfort. In India, the prevalence of psoriasis ranges from 0.4% to 2.8%, with variations depending on geographic and environmental factors. Understanding the pattern of psoriasis in tertiary care hospitals is important for improving disease management, identifying associated risk factors, and planning preventive strategies.Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the clinical patterns, demographic distribution, and associated factors of psoriasis among patients attending the dermatology outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital.

A hospital-based cross-sectional observational study.

 

Study Setting

The study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology at a tertiary care teaching hospital over a period of 12 months.

 

Study Population

All patients clinically diagnosed with psoriasis attending the dermatology outpatient department during the study period were included.

 

Sample Size

A total of 120 patients diagnosed with psoriasis were included in the study.

 

Inclusion Criteria

•               Patients of all age groups diagnosed with psoriasis.

•               Patients willing to participate and provide informed consent.

 

Exclusion Criteria

•               Patients with other dermatological conditions mimicking psoriasis.

•               Patients unwilling to participate in the study.

 

Data Collection

Detailed demographic and clinical information was collected using a structured proforma including:

•               Age

•               Gender

•               Occupation

•               Duration of disease

•               Family history

•               Type of psoriasis

•               Site of involvement

•               Presence of nail changes

•               Associated comorbidities

Clinical examination was performed by a dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis and classify the type of psoriasis.

 

Statistical Analysis: Data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results were expressed as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations

Table 1: Age Distribution of Study Participants (n = 120)

A total of 120 patients with psoriasis were included in the study. The majority of patients were in the 31–40 years age group (28.3%), followed by 21–30 years (22.5%) and 41–50 years (20%).

 

Table 2: Gender Distribution of Patients

Out of 120 patients:

·          72 (60%) were males

·          48 (40%) were females

The male to female ratio was 1.5:1.

 

Table 3: Clinical Types of Psoriasis

The most common clinical type observed was chronic plaque psoriasis, seen in 82 patients (68.3%). Other types included:

·          Guttate psoriasis – 14 (11.7%)

·          Pustular psoriasis – 10 (8.3%)

·          Inverse psoriasis – 8 (6.7%)

·          Erythrodermic psoriasis – 6 (5%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 4: Site of Involvement in Psoriasis Patients

Site of Involvement

The most commonly affected sites were:

·          Extensor surfaces – 70%

·          Scalp – 55%

·          Trunk – 40%

·          Nails – 25%

Table 5: Associated Comorbidities Among Psoriasis Patients

Nail involvement was observed in 30 patients (25%), with pitting being the most common finding.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder with variable clinical presentations and significant impact on patients’ quality of life. The present study evaluated the demographic and clinical patterns of psoriasis in patients attending a tertiary care hospital. In this study, the majority of patients were in the third and fourth decades of life, which is consistent with previous studies conducted in India. The male predominance observed in this study is also similar to findings reported by several researchers.

 

Chronic plaque psoriasis was the most common type observed, accounting for more than two-thirds of cases. This finding aligns with global epidemiological studies which report plaque psoriasis as the predominant clinical subtype. The most commonly affected sites were the extensor surfaces and scalp, which is characteristic of psoriasis. Nail involvement was present in approximately one-fourth of patients, similar to other studies that reported nail changes in 20–30% of psoriasis cases.

 

Family history was noted in a smaller proportion of patients, indicating the genetic component of the disease. Additionally, comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus were frequently observed, supporting the association between psoriasis and metabolic disorders. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive evaluation and multidisciplinary management of psoriasis patients, particularly in tertiary care settings.

 

Psoriasis is a common chronic dermatological condition with varied clinical presentations. The present study demonstrated that chronic plaque psoriasis is the most prevalent form, with the highest occurrence among individuals in the third and fourth decades of life. Male predominance was observed, and the extensor surfaces and scalp were the most frequently affected sites.

 

The study also identified a significant association between psoriasis and comorbid conditions such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Early diagnosis, regular follow-up, and holistic management are essential to reduce disease burden and improve the quality of life of patients. Further large-scale studies are recommended to better understand the epidemiology and risk factors associated with psoriasis

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