Abstract: Objective To analyze the clinical features of erythrodermic psoriasis,and to compare the safety and efficacy of different treatment modalities for this condition.Methods The cIinical data from 193 inpatients with erythrodermic psoriasis collected at the institute from 1999 to 2005 were analyzed retrospectively.Results of these patients,the male:female ratio was 1.6:1,average age was 38 years.The average interval between the onset of psoriasis and first erythrodermic flare was 13 years(varying from 2 months to 50 years).Twenty-three patients had pustules(6 generalized,17 localized),and 21 had arthralgia.Abnormal laboratory results included decrease of serum albumin in 71 cases,increase of peripheral blood leucocytes in 94 cases and elevated liver function tests in 32 cases.Precipitating factors included medications,infections, psychological factors,and local irritation of topical therapy.The efficacy rates of Triptergium glucosides (T_Ⅱ),acitretin,acitretin combined with T_Ⅱ,methotrexate(MTX)combined with T_Ⅱ were 62.01%, 73.68%,76.59%,and 76.92%,respectively.Conclusions T_Ⅱ,MTX and systemic retinoids have proven to be highly effective in the treatment of erythrodermic psoriasis,but potential adverse reactions limit their longterm use.Therefore,the risk/benefit of these systemic remedies must be weighed carefully for each patient,and individualized treatment is recommended.

Key words: Psoriasis, Pharmaceutical preparations, Consensus development conferences