Psoriasis: Targets and Therapy (Jun 2019)
Diagnosis and screening of patients with generalized pustular psoriasis
Abstract
Karen Ly,* Kristen M Beck*, Mary P Smith, Quinn Thibodeaux, Tina BhutaniDepartment of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA*These authors contributed equally to this work Abstract: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare and potentially life-threatening variant of psoriasis that is characterized by recurrent, acute onset, widely distributed pustular eruptions on inflamed, erythematous skin. It is important to recognize acute GPP as a subtype of psoriasis associated with high morbidity and mortality so therapy can be initiated without delay. Since GPP was first described in 1910 by Leopold von Zumbusch, it has been inconsistently defined, stratified, and diagnosed in the literature. Multiple definitions and diagnostic criteria have been proposed over the years. Recently, formal consensus guidelines on GPP have been published by international groups. This article reviews the current evidence and understanding in the diagnosis and screening of GPP.Keywords: generalized pustular psoriasis, acute generalized pustular psoriasis of von Zumbusch, pustular psoriasis, diagnostic criteria
