Annular pustular psoriasis associated with affective psychosis

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Case Study

Background:

• Annular pustular psoriasis is a rare inflammatory skin condition.
• Psoriasis can sometimes be associated with psychiatric comorbidities.
• The interplay between manic episodes and specific psoriasis subtypes requires further investigation.

Observation:

• An 80-year-old male patient presented with annular erythema and pustules on the axillae, trunk, and groin.
• The patient experienced recurrent exacerbations of these skin lesions.
• These exacerbations consistently followed episodes of mania.

Findings:

• The patient's clinical presentation was diagnosed as annular pustular psoriasis.
• A direct correlation was observed between manic episodes and the worsening of psoriatic skin lesions.
• Administration of major tranquilizers, specifically chlorpromazine, led to significant improvement.

Implications:

• This case highlights a potential link between manic episodes and annular pustular psoriasis.
• Psychotropic medications may play a role in managing both psychiatric and dermatological symptoms in such cases.
• Further research is warranted to explore the neuro-cutaneous connection in psoriasis subtypes.