Abstract: Objective To study the clinical characteristics of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) and to compare the efficacy of different remedies. Methods A total of 84 patients with GPP collected from 1995 to 2004 were analysed according to the severity of the disease. Results The patients with a history of psoriasis vulgaris and those without the history of psoriasis vulgaris accounted for 50%, 50%, respectively. Of the GPP patients, 16.6% developed complications. A secondary infection occurred in partial patients. Clinically the outbreak of GPP was earlier in patients without the history of psoriasis than those with a history of psoriasis, which often occurred following corticosteroid therapy. Sudden withdrawal of corticosteroids was also an important inducing factor of GPP. Abnormal laboratory examination Results included the decrease of hemoglobin and serum albumin, the increase of peripheral blood leucocytes and liver enzymes. Considering the efficacy and side effects, acitretin was the first choice for GPP; corticosteroids were unnecessary for severe GPP unless the acute symptom could not be controlled with other drugs. Conclusion It is suggested that appropriate drug therapy be chosen based on the disease severity after the diagnosis of GPP is established.

Key words: Psoriasis, Drug therapy