CUTANEOUS MANIFESTATIONS OF CHRONIC LIVER DIEASE IN PATIENTS ATTENDING DERMATOLOGY OPD IN KARAIKAL

Sivakumar Sivasubramaniam; Tony Kuncheria

Volume : IX, Issue : VI, June - 2020

CUTANEOUS MANIFESTATIONS OF CHRONIC LIVER DIEASE IN PATIENTS ATTENDING DERMATOLOGY OPD IN KARAIKAL

Sivakumar Sivasubramaniam, Tony Kuncheria

Abstract :

Background: The present study was conducted to assess the spectrum of cutaneous changes in chronic liver diseases and to assess any correlation between the skin findings and the type of the liver disease. Methods: A total of 100 patients above 18 years of age suffering from chronic liver disease with cutaneous manifestations and attending the Dermatology and Venereology department of Vinayaka Missions Medical College and Hospital, Karaikal, Puducherry , India during the period from June 2019 to May 2020 were included in the study. Results: Out of 100 cases, there were 84 males (84%) and 16 females (16%) with the male to female ratio of 5.25:1. Alcoholic liver disease comprised 62% of the patients in the study, other causes being cryptogenic liver disease (14%), chronic hepatitis infection (12%), Wilson�s disease (2%), autoimmune hepatitis (2%), hepatocellular carcinoma (2%), methotrexate induced liver disease (1%) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (1%). The most commonest skin finding associated with liver diseases was xerosis (62%). Other skin findings included nail changes (60%), pigmentary changes (55%), hair changes (50%), jaundice (40%), cutaneous infections (31%) and pruritus (27%). Conclusions: Patients with chronic liver disease can have a wide spectrum of cutaneous manifestations the most important being xerosis, nail changes, pigmentary changes, hair changes, jaundice, infections, pruritus and spider angioma. These changes can give a clue to the presence of the underlying liver disease and its severity. Hence, identifying these signs earlier can lead to prompt diagnosis and effective management of the underlying condition, thereby preventing its complications.