ERYTHRODERMA: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF CASES DIAGNOSED IN A TERTIARY DERMATOLOGY REFERRAL CENTER.

Introduction: The diagnosis of erythroderma is frequently challenging due to subtle clinical and paraclinical signs necessary to differentiate between a variety of underlying dermatoses, infections or systemic diseases. The management is also difficult, with severe systemic complications that impose an early medical intervention. Objective: We aimed to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic profile of patients diagnosed with erythroderma in a tertiary dermatology referral center from Romania. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of patients diagnosed with erythroderma in the Dermatology and Allergology Clinic, „Elias" Emergency University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania from January 2012 to August 2018. An in-depth analysis of the clinical, paraclinical, as well as therapeutic management was performed. Results: The most frequent cause of erythroderma was represented by the exacerbation of psoriasis, followed by other chronic inflammatory dermatoses, as well as by hypersensitivity reactions to drugs. Less frequently, erythroderma was a paraneoplastic manifestation or a clinical presentation of rare genetic or autoimmune pathologies. The therapeutic management led to favorable results, with the remission or the amelioration of the disease. Few patients needed supportive care. Conclusions: Although the prognosis of the majority of patients was favorable, it is important to take into consideration the possibility of an associated cancer diagnosis. The dermatologist plays an essential role within the multidisciplinary team involved in the diagnosis and management of erythroderma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]