Natural history of psoriasis: a study from the Indian subcontinent.

Clinical and epidemiological data from 1220 patients with psoriasis is presented. Psoriatics accounted for 2.3% of the total dermatology outpatients. There was a distinct male preponderance. Mean age of onset was lower in women at 27.6 years, although the severity of the disease was the same in both sexes. Family history was positive in just 2% of patients. Plaque type disease was the most common, seen in over 93% of the patients. Lesional pruritus was a problem in 65%. Remission in summer was experienced by 43%. The scalp was the first site of onset in 25.2%. Nail and joint involvement were seen in 55.7% and 4.4%, respectively. Complete remission of disease activity was experienced by 35% of the patients during some part of the year in the course of their disease.