title: Dermoscopic assessment of long-term topical therapies with potent steroids in chronic psoriasis.
abstract: We investigated the value of the dermoscope for monitoring the long term safety of high potency topical steroids in patients with chronic psoriasis. We observed for the first time that the overuse of topical steroids resulted in the appearance of clinically unapparent but dermoscopically apparent "red lines" (linear telangiectasias) in the treated plaques and/or skin adjacent to the treated plaques (P < .03). We concluded that dermoscopy may help reveal the early signs of impending steroid-induced atrophy ("red lines") before they become clinically evident with the naked eye and before the atrophy becomes permanent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology at Asturias Central University Hospital, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain. fvlopez@telecable.es
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vázquez-López
authors.forename: Ashfaq A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Marghoob
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D046169:Dermoscopy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; C055085:calcipotriene; D002990:Clobetasol; D002117:Calcitriol