Clinical profile of cutaneous manifestations with and without hematologic disease: A comparative study

The aim was to study the clinical profile of cutaneous manifestations of hematologic disorders and to compare it with that of non-hematologic disorders.

Cutaneous manifestations of hematologic diseases fall in seven well-defined categories. A total of 153 outpatients with skin manifestations fitting in these categories were enrolled in a comparative study of 1-year duration. Clinical profile of these cutaneous manifestations was studied and any underlying hematologic disorder was ruled out with the help of a hematologist. Difference in the clinical profile of cutaneous manifestations with and without hematologic diseases was studied.

Of the 26,174 outpatients during the study period, 153 had cutaneous manifestations fitting in the categories of hematologic disorders. Of these 153 patients, 33 had hematologic disease as the cause of their cutaneous manifestation (21.57%), whereas 78.42% had no hematologic disorder. Disorders of hemostasis formed the largest group (36%) followed by cutaneous deposits/infiltrations (15%), vesiculobullous disorders (6%), and cutaneous vasculitis (9%) were least commonly associated with hematologic disorders.

Hematologic diseases are associated with complex array of cutaneous manifestations. The incidence of hematologic disease-associated cutaneous manifestations was 0.13%. Findings of this study will help dermatologists and physicians with the early recognition of cutaneous signs of hematologic disorders.