Hemorrhagic dot score as a follow up marker in psoriasis on treatment: A prospective observational study.

Context: Psoriasis assessment tools in use presently lack reproducibility and are cumbersome to use. An easily reproducible, objective tool with ability to maintain visual records for follow up is hence desirable. We conducted a study with the aim to assess dermoscopic changes in psoriasis while on treatment by recording the number of hemorrhagic dots (Hemorrhagic Dot Score-HDS) in a representative plaque and comparing it to the PASI score.

Settings And Design: A longitudinal prospective study was conducted between October 2018 to March 2020 in a dermatology centre of a tertiary hospital on cases of chronic plaque psoriasis on treatment over 6 months, assessed at baseline and thereafter monthly for 6 months.

Methods: Hundred consenting patients of chronic plaque psoriasis were assessed, clinically, PASI and dermoscopically. HDS and other dermoscopic features were noted at every visit.

Statistical Analysis Used: ANOVA and F test of testing of equality of Variance; effect size in terms of Cohen were used to report the strength of an apparent relationship.

Results And Interpretation: Percentage improvement in the mean PASI scores and HDS and percentage improvement of mean was found significant in each month on follow up. Systemic therapy as compared to topical therapy showed higher effect size of 6.1 and 1.7, respectively.

Conclusion: Hemorrhagic dot score can be used as an objective, definite assessment tool correlating with clinical severity of psoriasis with more accuracy which shows changes early following institution of therapy.