Author/Editor		Miljkovič, J; Berčič, M; Basta-Juzbašić, A; Lipozenčić, J
Title		Evaluation of the number of hair follicles in psoriatic lesions of glabrous skin
Type		članek
Source		Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannon Adriat
Vol. and No.		Letnik 8, št. 1
Publication year		1999
Volume		str. 13-8
Language		eng
Abstract		Introduction. In analyzing biopsies of psoriatic lesions the impression is produced that the number of hair follicles is decreased. In the literature no unequivocal data could be found to decide whether the number of hair follicles was decreased or this was rather an optic impression due to epidermal hyperplasia. The studies published on the so-called "psoriatic alopecia" are few and contradictory. Methods. In each of 30 patients two punch biopsies were done: the first from a psoriatic lesion and the second from clinically non-altered surrounding skin of the gluteal region. In 20 cases the biopsy specimens were of 4 mm diameter and in 10 cases the diameter was 6 mm. The number of follicles was counted in five horizontal histologic slices at the level of the infundibular part of the follicle. The mean value per cm2 was calculated according to the equation a = r2pi. Student's t - test of p < 0.05 was used for statistical evaluation. Results. The mean value of the number of hair follicles from psoriatic lesions amounted to 32.37 follicles/ cm2, while in the clinically unaltered skin the analogue value was 32.96 follicles/cm2. The deviation was statistically not significant at the level of 0.05. There was no correlation between the number of hair follicles and patient's age or duration of the disease. Conclusion. The number of hair follicles in psoriatic lesions is not decreased compared to follicles in perilesional healthy skin. An inadequate impression may be caused by the acanthosis of the epidermis.
Descriptors		PSORIASIS HAIR FOLLICLE EPIDERMIS