Characterization of Generalized Pustular Psoriasis in Northwest China: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) in Northwest China. Methods: The clinical data of patients with GPP were retrospectively collected in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2021 and analyzed using the chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: In total, 179 hospitalized patients were included. The male:female ratio was 1.16:1.00, and the mean age at onset was 35.05 ± 19.11 years. Psoriasis vulgaris was also present in 76.0% of patients, and a family history of psoriasis was present in 15.6%. The mean duration of hospitalization was 10.67 ± 4.31 days, and the mean duration of flares was 29.58 ± 24.32 days. Infections and suspected drugs were predisposing factors. A fever developed in 54.7% of patients, and pruritus developed in 70.9%. Some patients had involvement of the nails (38.0%), scalp (46.9%), and tongue (4.5%). Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and gallbladder-related disease were common comorbidities. The efficacy of acitretin was 84.7%, that of methotrexate was 66.7%, and that of cyclosporine was 100%. Fifteen patients were treated with secukinumab or adalimumab and responded well. The mean response time was 6.34 ± 2.91 days based on the combination treatments. The mean duration of the treatment regimen was 111.35 ± 94.25 days, and approximately 46.6% (n = 131) of patients developed recurrence. Conclusion: Our retrospective study showed that most cases of GPP were accompanied by psoriasis vulgaris and associated with fever or pruritus. Acitretin had good therapeutic efficacy, but recurrence should be noted. Biologics are increasingly becoming effective treatments, but their superiority and safety need further research.