Skin manifestations of systemic disease.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dermatologic complaints are a common reason for presentation to a general practitioner. In some cases, one needs to determine if the complaint may be a manifestation of a more serious underlying systemic disease. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to highlight common dermatologic presentations where further assessment is needed to exclude an underlying systemic disease, to discuss classic cutaneous features of specific systemic diseases, and to outline rare cutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes. DISCUSSION: Skin manifestations of systemic disease are wide, varied, specific and nonspecific. Generalised pruritus and cutaneous vasculitis are more common cutaneous presentations where an underlying systemic disease may be present and will influence management. In certain chronic diseases such as connective tissue disease and chronic liver disease, there are characteristic cutaneous findings. Internal malignancies such as multiple myeloma may present with distinctive cutaneous findings, which need to be recognised to institute a search for the underlying neoplasm. The skin has the potential to provide a window into the patient and aid in the diagnosis of diseases of all organ systems.

Author information

Author/s: Lee, Adriene (A);

Affiliation: St Vincent's Hospital and Monash Medical Centre, Victoria. adrienelee(-atsign-)nwdermatology.com.au

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Australian family physician (Aust Fam Physician), published in Australia. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jul; vol 38 (issue 7) : pp 498-505

Dates: Created 2009/07/03; Completed 2009/08/19;

PMID: 19575068, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 8/21/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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