Palmoplantar pustulosis: a clinicoepidemiological study. The relationship between tobacco use and thyroid function.

BACKGROUND

Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is a skin disease characterized by chronically recurring sterile pustules on the palms and the soles. Although the aetiology of PPP is unknown, it is interesting to note the high prevalence of tobacco use in these patients. It would seem that there may be a relationship between PPP, autoimmune diseases and alterations of thyroid function.

METHODS

We studied a total of 17 patients with ages ranging from 28 to 67 years, diagnosed with PPP. Patients were interviewed about: autoimmune diseases, psoriasis and thyroid disease, tobacco use (classified as: A, non-smoker; B, ex smoker; C, smoker of less than 20 cigarettes/day; D, smoker of more than 20 cigarettes/day). The patients were interviewed regarding the possible existence of a personal or family history of thyroid disease, determined using thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine, antithyroid antibodies (antimicrosomal and antithyroglobulin antibodies).

RESULTS

The majority of the patients smoked cigarettes (according to classification). Of the 12 patients for whom a thyroid study was performed three had been diagnosed with thyroid diseases, an increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone in one case and two showed an increase in antimicrosomial antibodies.

CONCLUSIONS

We have been able to demonstrate a high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and tobacco use in patients with PPP.