Ocular Manifestations in Psoriasis Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Centre, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Psoriasis is known to be proliferative, relapsing inflammatory disorder affecting mainly skin and other parts of body. There are several co-morbidities associated with psoriasis, of which ocular findings go unnoticed. Aim: To study the spectrum of ocular manifestations in psoriasis patients in Srikakulam, north coastal region of Andhra Pradesh, India and also to identify relationship between frequency of ocular involvement in psoriasis patients with age, gender, type and severity of psoriasis. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2019 to March 2021 at Great Eastern Medical School and Hospital, Ragolu, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India. The study included 80 psoriasis patients attending dermatology Outpatient Department (OPD) to know various ophthalmological manifestations. Detailed dermatological examination was done followed by ophthalmological examination. Clinical types of psoriasis, site of involvement, and the severity of the disease using Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) were noted. Statistical analysis was done using Z-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and linear regression coefficient. Results: Out of 80 patients with psoriasis, 51 (63.75%) were males and 29 (36.25%) were females. Out of total 80 patients, 56 (70%) patients had ophthalmic manifestations. The mean age of presentation was noted to be 49.22±8.53 years with range from 18-76 years. Most of the patients i.e. 30 (54%) had bilateral manifestations in both the eyes. Nearly 10 (18%) of psoriasis patients had multiple ocular manifestations. The p-value was calculated based on PASI score and with ocular manifestations which was found to be 0.0485 and was statistically significant. Cconclusions: Regular screening of psoriasis patients is useful in identification of ocular problems which may not be noticed by the patients until symptomatic