Clinical study of a typical pityriasis rosea in patients attending the department of dermatology and venereology at Rizgary Teaching Hospital in Erbil city

Background and objectives: The aim of this study was to measure the rate of a typical cases of pityriasis rosea among dermatological visit and to outline the various clinical presentations of a typical pityriasis rosea disease. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted for a period extended from October 2007 through June 2008. 88 patients who diagnosed to have pityriasis rosea were enrolled in this study. The diagnosis was based on history and clinical examination; questionnaire was designed to provide relative data and all patients’ data were recorded at time of diagnosis. Investigations in certain cases were done to aid in the diagnosis. Results: A typical pityriasis rosea was found in 38.5% patients. Absence of herald patch in 17% of patients, papular rosea in 8%, inverse pityriasis rosea in 6.8%, localized pityriasis rosea in 4.5%, unilateral/inverse in 1.1% and urticarial in 1.1% of patients Conclusion: A typical pityriasis rosea is not uncommon and different forms of a typical pityriasis rosea exist. Investigations are sometimes needed to confirm the diagnosis.