TY - JOUR
TI - Poikiloderma of Civatte: a clinical and epidemiological study
AU - Katoulis, AC
AU - Stavrianeas, NG
AU - Georgala, S
AU - Bozi, E and
AU - Kalogeromitros, D
AU - Koumantaki, E
AU - Katsambas, AD
JO - Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
PY - 2005
VL - 19
TODO - 4
SP - 444-448
PB - Wiley
SN - 0926-9959, 1468-3083
TODO - 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2005.01213.x
TODO - differential diagnosis; epidemiology; pathogenesis; photodermatoses;
pigmentation; poikiloderma; telangiectasia
TODO - Background Although a common dermatosis, idiopathic poikiloderma of the
face and neck has not been studied in depth for decades.
Objectives To reassess the clinical and epidemiological characteristics
of poikiloderma of Civatte (PC).
Material and Methods Fifty consecutive patients with PC. Evaluation
included history taking and physical examination. Epidemiological and
clinical parameters were recorded and analysed. The literature from 1923
until today, was reviewed thoroughly.
Results The frequency of PC among dermatologic patients was estimated to
be 1.4%. There were 34 females (68%) and 16 males in the present
study. The mean age at diagnosis was 47.8 years for females and 61.7
years for males. The majority (88%) had skin phototype II or III. Among
females, 26 were at their perimenopausal stage, including three cases of
iatrogenic menopause. Four patients reported that other blood-related
family members also had PC. The v and the sides of the neck and the
upper chest were most often affected in a symmetric distribution. The
face (preauricular and parotid region) was involved in 19 patients
(38%). The erythemato-telangiectatic clinical type predominated (58%),
followed by the mixed (22%) and the pigmented type (20%). Almost half
of the patients (46%) were symptomatic (itching, burning and
‘flushing’). The mean duration from onset to diagnosis was 6.2 years
according to the patients’ report. The course was usually slowly
progressive (82%) and irreversible.
Conclusions PC shows characteristic features, supporting the theory that
it represents a distinct entity. It is rather common in Greece. Although
menopausal women predominated in our cohort, men were not uncommonly
affected and were diagnosed at an older age. Based on the predominating
clinical feature, PC can be classified into three clinical forms.
Symmetry and sparing of the anatomically shaded areas of the neck are
highly characteristic for PC. Face involvement was not as common and as
severe as it had been considered in the past. Recognition of clinical
type is important for the selection of the most appropriate treatment,
which, despite the advent of novel modalities, remains problematic.
ER -