Clinicoepidemiological Study Of Acute Skin Failure: A Prospective Study From Tertiary Care Center Of Gujarat

Clinicoepidemiological Study Of Acute Skin Failure

Abstract

Background: The concept of skin failure is not well known and the need for intensive care in dermatology is overlooked. Skin failure has been defined as loss of normal temperature control with inability to maintain the core body temperature, and failure to prevent percutaneous loss of fluid, electrolytes and protein, with resulting imbalance, and failure of the mechanical barrier to prevent penetration of foreign materials. However, acute skin failure is no less serious than visceral dysfunctions like cardiac, pulmonary, renal or hepatic failure. Aims: The aim of this study is to study the clinicoepidemiological profile of the acute skin failure. Methods: This is a prospective study which was conducted over period from September 2014 to December 2016.In this study we included conditions in which acute skin failure is a consequence of various primary dermatological disorders like erythroderma,severe drug reaction,Immunobullous conditions,infections and acute generalised pustular psoriasis. After ethical institutional approval, detailed history of all the patients was taken and recorded with all demographic details and clinical examinations. Results: Out of 59 patients, 34 were male and 25 were female. Maximum 17(28.81%) patients were in the age group of 31-40 years. Among 9 conditions included in this study, 16 (27.11%) cases were of erythroderma, 12(20.33%) were of pemphigus vulgaris,11(18.64%) were of SJS .At the time of first presentation 52.60% patients were having mucosal involvement, 49.35% patients were having various systemic involvement. 46(77.9%)patients were having body surface involvement >70%. Conclusion: Effective management is more accurate only when the underlying etiology of each event of acute skin failure is clear. [Mody K Natl J Integr Res Med, 2020; 11(1):16-21]