title: Clinical and histological aspect of erythema dyschromicum perstans in Korea: A review of 68 cases.
abstract: Erythema dyschromicum perstans (EDP) is a hypermelanotic disorder of the idiopathic variety characterized by blue-gray macules in healthy individuals. It has been described mainly in patients from tropical areas of Central and South America. Our aim was to evaluate EDP in Korea through the analysis of retrospective case series with EDP and to describe the clinical and histopathological features. It was a retrospective study (2002-2012) of EDP confirmed by review of clinical photographs and biopsy specimens. The files of 68 patients with EDP from six tertiary medical centers in Korea were included in this study. Of the 68 patients, 29 were male and 39 female. The age of patients ranged 3-76 years (mean, 33.9). Clinically, the majority of patients had lesions on the trunk (n = 47, 69.1%); the neck was affected in 27 cases, the upper extremities in 26, the face in 22 and the lower extremities in 16. Peripheral erythematous borders were observed in 12 patients (17.6%) and 11 patients had itching sensation at the lesion. Histopathologically, dermal melanophages and pigment incontinence were the most common findings. A follow up of more than 1 year was obtained in 51 patients. Of these, only one patient experienced complete clearance without recurrence. Our study illustrates the clinical and histopathological findings of EDP in Koreans. Our multicenter data may contribute to the understanding of EDP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, Ulsan University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Woo
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, Ulsan University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Im
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Na
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Mi Ryung
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ga Young
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Joo Yeon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Ko
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004890:Erythema / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Korean; ashy dermatosis; clinical feature; erythema dyschromicum perstans; histopathological feature