Generalized pustular psoriasis (von Zumbusch) following iatrogenic hypocortisolism. 2004

Frédéric Augey, and Christine Dissard, and Isabelle Normand, and Michèle Daumont
Department of Dermatology, Centre hospitalier Lucien Hussel 38209 Vienne Cedex, France. fr.augey@infonie.fr

Generalized pustular psoriasis can be triggered by hypocalcemia, pregnancy, stress and drugs but frequently has no obvious cause. We report a case which was only cured after treatment of iatrogenic adrenal axis suppression. A 41 year old woman had been suffering for nine months from a generalized pustular psoriasis which had occurred after a three week topical corticosteroid therapy of plaque psoriasis with 90 g of betamethasone dipropionate + 2% salicylic acid. Successive systemic treatments failed but topical corticosteroids brought relief to the patient. Cortisol level was found to be very low. Further investigations showed iatrogenic adrenal axis suppression. Hydrocortisone supplementation brought spectacular improvement and complete healing in a few months.We suggest that our patient was extremely sensitive to corticosteroids because the first pustules appeared after a conventional topical treatment. Adrenal axis suppression has never been involved in the aggravation of inflammatory dermatoses except in two cases of severe atopic dermatitis. Endogen corticosteroids inhibit proinflammatory cytokines by a feed-back mechanism and might have a great importance in the immune regulation loop. Cortisol level measurement should be considered in corticodependent inflammatory dermatoses.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007049 Iatrogenic Disease Any adverse condition in a patient occurring as the result of treatment by a physician, surgeon, or other health professional, especially infections acquired by a patient during the course of treatment. Hospital-Acquired Condition,Condition, Hospital-Acquired,Conditions, Hospital-Acquired,Disease, Iatrogenic,Diseases, Iatrogenic,Hospital Acquired Condition,Hospital-Acquired Conditions,Iatrogenic Diseases
D011565 Psoriasis A common genetically determined, chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by rounded erythematous, dry, scaling patches. The lesions have a predilection for nails, scalp, genitalia, extensor surfaces, and the lumbosacral region. Accelerated epidermopoiesis is considered to be the fundamental pathologic feature in psoriasis. Palmoplantaris Pustulosis,Pustular Psoriasis of Palms and Soles,Pustulosis Palmaris et Plantaris,Pustulosis of Palms and Soles,Psoriases
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006854 Hydrocortisone The main glucocorticoid secreted by the ADRENAL CORTEX. Its synthetic counterpart is used, either as an injection or topically, in the treatment of inflammation, allergy, collagen diseases, asthma, adrenocortical deficiency, shock, and some neoplastic conditions. Cortef,Cortisol,Pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, 11,17,21-trihydroxy-, (11beta)-,11-Epicortisol,Cortifair,Cortril,Epicortisol,Hydrocortisone, (11 alpha)-Isomer,Hydrocortisone, (9 beta,10 alpha,11 alpha)-Isomer,11 Epicortisol
D000279 Administration, Cutaneous The application of suitable drug dosage forms to the skin for either local or systemic effects. Cutaneous Drug Administration,Dermal Drug Administration,Drug Administration, Dermal,Percutaneous Administration,Skin Drug Administration,Transcutaneous Administration,Transdermal Administration,Administration, Dermal,Administration, Transcutaneous,Administration, Transdermal,Cutaneous Administration,Cutaneous Administration, Drug,Dermal Administration,Drug Administration, Cutaneous,Skin Administration, Drug,Administration, Cutaneous Drug,Administration, Dermal Drug,Administration, Percutaneous,Administrations, Cutaneous,Administrations, Cutaneous Drug,Administrations, Dermal,Administrations, Dermal Drug,Administrations, Percutaneous,Administrations, Transcutaneous,Administrations, Transdermal,Cutaneous Administrations,Cutaneous Administrations, Drug,Cutaneous Drug Administrations,Dermal Administrations,Dermal Drug Administrations,Drug Administrations, Cutaneous,Drug Administrations, Dermal,Drug Skin Administrations,Percutaneous Administrations,Skin Administrations, Drug,Skin Drug Administrations,Transcutaneous Administrations,Transdermal Administrations
D000305 Adrenal Cortex Hormones HORMONES produced by the ADRENAL CORTEX, including both steroid and peptide hormones. The major hormones produced are HYDROCORTISONE and ALDOSTERONE. Adrenal Cortex Hormone,Corticoid,Corticoids,Corticosteroid,Corticosteroids,Cortex Hormone, Adrenal,Hormone, Adrenal Cortex,Hormones, Adrenal Cortex
D000309 Adrenal Insufficiency Conditions in which the production of adrenal CORTICOSTEROIDS falls below the requirement of the body. Adrenal insufficiency can be caused by defects in the ADRENAL GLANDS, the PITUITARY GLAND, or the HYPOTHALAMUS. Adrenal Gland Hypofunction,Hypoadrenalism,Adrenal Insufficiencies,Hypofunction, Adrenal Gland
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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