A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess the Role of Dermoscopy in Differentiating Palmar Psoriasis, Chronic Hand Eczema, and Eczema in Psoriatico

Abstract

Background: Overlapping clinical features often make the differentiation between palmar psoriasis, hand eczema, and eczema in psoriatico a difficult task. In such cases, history and biopsy often aid in the diagnosis. Dermoscopy acts as a link between clinical dermatology and dermatopathology. Aim: To study the dermoscopic features in biopsy-proven cases of palmar psoriasis, hand eczema, and eczema in psoriatico. Methods: A 1-year cross-sectional study was conducted using a video dermatoscope, Dinolite premier AM4113ZT, on 60 patients having clinical diagnosis of either of palmar psoriasis, hand eczema, and eczema in psoriatico. Statistical analysis was performed using R i386 3.6.3 software. Results: Among 60 patients, 38 were psoriatics followed by 14 of eczema and 8 of eczema in psoriatico. On dermoscopy, characteristic features of psoriasis lesions were diffuse scaling in 76.3% (29/38), white scales in 60.5% (23/38), and dotted vessels in 76.3% (29/38) along with regular distribution of vessels in 71% (27/38); in hand eczema lesions, diffuse scaling in 78.5% (11/14), white and yellow scales in 57.1% (8/14), and dotted vessels in 78.5% (11/14) along with a patchy distribution of vessels in 57.1% (8/14); in eczema in psoriatico, diffuse scaling in 75% (6/8), white and yellow scales in 62.5% (5/8), and dotted vessels in 87.5% (7/8) along with regular distribution of vessels in 50% (4/8). Conclusion: The various patterns and combinations reflecting specific features give an insight into the cases of palmar psoriasis, hand eczema, and eczema in psoriatico on dermoscopy. However, a study with larger sample size is required to validate the findings of our study. Limitations: Inability to perform a patch test for eczema due to unavailability.