LICHEN AMYLOIDOSIS;

EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF TOPICAL DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE (D.M.S.O) 70% IN ABBASI SHAHEED HOSPITAL, KARACHI.

Abstract

Introduction: Lichen amyloidosus (LA) is the major variant of the primary
cutaneous amyloidoses which present with severe and therapy resistant itching. Various
therapeutic modalities such as antihistamines, intralesional injection or topical application
of corticosteroids, etretinate, UVB irradiation and dermoabrasion have been employed with
variable success. Some authors have observed encouraging beneficial clinical effects by using
topical dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). Objectives: The objective of the study was to: evaluate
the efficacy of topical Dimethyl sulfoxide (D.M.S.O) 70% in Lichen Amyloidosis. Study Design:
Case series. Settings: This study was conducted at dermatology department, Abbasi Shaheed
Hospital in outpatient department (OPD). Duration of Study: The data collection was done in
06 months after approval of synopsis. From: 2nd June 2013 to 2nd December 2013. Results: In
this study, out of 71 cases, 42.25%(n=30) were between 16-40 years while 57.75%(n=41) were
between 41-80 years of age, mean+sd was calculated as 41.79+10.87 years, 26.76%(n=19)
were male and 73.24%(n=52) were females, 36.62%(n=26) had <6 months and 63.38%(n=45)
had ≥6 months of duration, frequency of efficacy of topical dimethyl sulfoxide (D.M.S.O) in lichen
amyloidosis reveals 66.20%(n=47) while 33.80%(n=24) did not show efficacy. Conclusion: We
concluded that the efficacy of topical Dimethyl sulfoxide (D.M.S.O) 70% in Lichen Amyloidosis
is higher and in accordancde with other studies. It may be utilized in future for such cases.