1. A case of penicillamine-induced dermopathy
- Author
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M B, Tang, T M, Chin, C K, Yap, and S K, Ng
- Subjects
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ,Hepatolenticular Degeneration ,Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous ,Biopsy, Needle ,Penicillamine ,Humans ,Female ,Middle Aged ,Immunohistochemistry ,Long-Term Care ,Risk Assessment ,Severity of Illness Index ,Follow-Up Studies - Abstract
We describe an interesting patient with penicillamine-induced dermopathy.A 49-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of recurrent haemorrhagic blisters, milia and purpura over both her elbows, while on long-term penicillamine therapy (1.5 g daily) for Wilson's disease. Histologically, dermal elastin fibres were markedly reduced in the affected areas, consistent with penicillamine-induced elastolysis.The patient's lesions improved significantly after reduction of her penicillamine dose to 500 mg daily.The cutaneous side effects of long-term penicillamine therapy are important to recognise as they may be associated with significant morbidity and may be markers of more ominous underlying systemic elastic fibre damage.
- Published
- 2003