Erythema nodosum: The clinical and demographic characteristics of 33 patients

• Main Authors: Bilal Sula, Mustafa Arıca
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dicle University Medical School 2015-03-01
• Series: Dicle Medical Journal
• Subjects: Erythema nodosum; etiology; clinic; demographic
• Online Access: http://www.diclemedj.org/upload/sayi/35/Dicle%20Med%20J-02361.pdf
• ISSN: 1300-2945; 1308-9889

Objective: In this study our aim was to determine demographic and clinical features, etiological factors, laboratory findings and treatment regimens of patients who were diagnosed and treated with erythema nodosum. Methods: Thirty-three patients who were clinical and histopathological diagnosed as erythema nodosum in dermatology clinic of our university, dated between 2008 and 2014, were evaluated retrospectively. Results: The study population consisted of 29 (87.9%) female and 4 (12.1%) male, with a mean age of 40.57±13.98 years (range, 11-69 years). Most patients were found in the 30-39 age range. The most frequent localization of lesions was found in the lower extremities (54.5%). Infections (30.3%) were the most common identified etiologic factors followed by drugs (12.1%), pregnancy (6.1%), Behcet’s disease (6.1%) and sarcoidosis (3.1%). The mean duration of disease was 12.60 days. 72.7% of patients were admitted as the first episode. The mean hospitalization time was 8.93 days. Conclusion: The etiology of erythema nodosum varies from country to country. The most common etiological factor was found idiopathic (42.4%) in our study. However, etiologic factors are similar in all studies, only showed differences in the rankings. No showed significant difference between clinical, laboratory, histopathological findings and treatment.