Journal of Autoimmune Disorders

An Unusual Dermatological Manifestation of Graves’ Disease

Abstract

Introduction

Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris (PRP) is a chronic inflammatory dermatological disease, the cause of it is not yet clear. Researchers have linked it to autoimmune disease, infections like HIV and streptococcal diseases. There was an established link hypothyroidism. This was significant in the view of some researchers to recommend thyroid function test (TFT) as part of PRP assessment.

Case presentation

We are presenting a 24-year old lady with a full picture of thyrotoxicosis (Grave’s disease). At the time of she started appreciating the symptoms of the thyrotoxicosis; she started feeling extensive skin dryness, scaling and skin breaks at the joints and the extensor surfaces. She sought dermatological advice in many centres, with no response. With the thyrotoxicosis treatment the skin jeopardy started to improve while she was only on emollients. The skin findings completely vanished after the radioactive iodine (RAI).

Conclusions

This was the first report of PRP in association with Grave’s disease. This link needs to be confirmed with more case reports. Vanishing skin changes with the thyroid settlement could make it part of the treatment of the PRP. This might strengthen the recommendation of the previous papers of adopting TFT as part of the PRP workup.

Author(s):

Elamin Ibrahim Elamin Abdelgadir, Alaaeldin MK Bashier, Suada AM Makeen, Fauzia Rashid and Fatheya Alawadi

Abstract | Full-Text | PDF

Share this