Publication:

Clinical profile of pityriasis rosea: a descriptive study from urban Karnataka

Background Pityriasis rosea (PR) is common, self-limited papulo-squamous dermatosis of unknown origin, which mainly appears in adolescents and young adults (10-35 years). It has a sudden onset, and in its typical presentation, the eruption is proceeded by a solitary patch termed “herald patch”, mainly located on the trunk. The objective of the study was to assess the clinical profile of pityriasis rosea.

Methods The data was collected from patients attending the Department of Dermatology, Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital attached to Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College, Gulbarga. It is a descriptive observational study. A total 79 patients suffering from pityriasis rosea who attended the outpatient department were included in the present study during the period from 2006 to 2007.

Results Out of 79 patients studied, majority were from 11-20 years age group 33 (41.8%) followed by 27.8% from 21-30 years age group. The mean age of study population was found to be 21.3±6.4 years. 11% gave history of acne vulgaris, 8% each had history of atopy and drugs. Commonly observed prodromal symptoms were URTI (25.3%) and fever (17.7%). Herald patch was seen on trunk in majority of patients i.e. 36 (61%) followed by 18.6% cases on upper extremity and on neck (8.5%).

Conclusions Our study concludes that pityriasis is common in 11-20 years age group with male predominance having URTI as common prodromal symptom and typical rash.