Increased prevalence of antithyroid antibodies and thyroid diseases in pustulosis palmoplantaris

A statistically significant increased prevalence of antithyroid antibodies was found by an indirect immunofluorescence technique in 37 patients with pustulosis palmoplantaris, as compared with an approximatley age- and sex-matched group of healthy controls. A history of thyroid disease was also more frequent in patients with PPP than in the population at large. The increased risk of thyroid dysfunction should be kept in mind in the long-term care of PPP cases. The prevalence of non-cutaneous autoantibodies was not increased in psoriatic subjects. The results accord with the concept that PPP and psoriasis may be separate entities.