Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (818 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A name originally applied to a group of skin diseases characterized by the formation of fine, branny scales, but now used only with a modifier. (Dorland, 27th ed)
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Pityriases.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous
- Narrower topics
- Pityriasis Lichenoides; Pityriasis Rosea; Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 2,378 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Pityriasis” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 348 of them (14.6%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 1,119 records.
Reviews account for 267 records (11.2%) and meta-analyses for 6. Randomized controlled trials number 22 (0.9%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 1,119 |
| 2000-2009 | 395 |
| 2010-2019 | 516 |
| 2020 onward | 348 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 267 | 11.2% |
| Meta-analyses | 6 | 0.3% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 22 | 0.9% |
Method: PubMed query "Pityriasis"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in bones, joints, muscles and skin
Joint, bone, muscle and skin conditions are often judged by pain scores, function questionnaires, imaging or photographs, and symptoms can fluctuate, so placebo response and natural improvement matter. Imaging changes are common in people without symptoms. Nothing on this page is advice about treatment. Check how outcomes were measured, whether the comparison group received a placebo or usual care, and how long the benefit lasted.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phospholipase A2 enzymes represent a shared pathogenic pathway in psoriasis and pityriasis rubra pilaris | 2021 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 53 | cc by PMID 34491907 · DOI · PMC8564909 |
| A novel mutation of ABHD5 gene in a Chanarin Dorfman patient with unusual dermatological findings | 2019 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 16 | cc by PMID 31883530 · DOI · PMC6935165 |
| Manifestation of pityriasis rosea and pityriasis rosea-like eruptions after Covid-19 vaccine: A systematic review | 2023 | Systematic review Design not recorded in structured metadata | 9 | cc by PMID 37102660 · DOI · PMC10091373 |
| Loss-of-function mutations in Keratin 32 gene disrupt skin immune homeostasis in pityriasis rubra pilaris | 2024 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 8 | cc by PMID 39048559 · DOI · PMC11269665 |
Phospholipase A2 enzymes represent a shared pathogenic pathway in psoriasis and pityriasis rubra pilaris [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Altered epidermal differentiation along with increased keratinocyte proliferation is a characteristic feature of psoriasis and pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP).
- Closing excerpt
- Taken together, our results highlight the important role of PLA2s as regulators of epidermal barrier homeostasis and inflammation, identify PLA2s as a shared pathogenic mechanism between PRP and psoriasis, and as potential therapeutic targets for both diseases.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (193 words)
Altered epidermal differentiation along with increased keratinocyte proliferation is a characteristic feature of psoriasis and pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP). However, despite this large degree of overlapping clinical and histologic features, the molecular signatures these skin disorders share are unknown. Using global transcriptomic profiling, we demonstrate that plaque psoriasis and PRP skin lesions have high overlap, with all differentially expressed genes in PRP relative to normal skin having complete overlap with those in psoriasis. The major common pathway shared between psoriasis and PRP involves the phospholipases PLA2G2F, PLA2G4D, and PLA2G4E, which were found to be primarily expressed in the epidermis. Gene silencing each of the 3 PLA2s led to reduction in immune responses and epidermal thickness both in vitro and in vivo in a mouse model of psoriasis, establishing their proinflammatory roles. Lipidomic analyses demonstrated that PLA2s affect mobilization of a phospholipid-eicosanoid pool, which is altered in psoriatic lesions and functions to promote immune responses in keratinocytes. Taken together, our results highlight the important role of PLA2s as regulators of epidermal barrier homeostasis and inflammation, identify PLA2s as a shared pathogenic mechanism between PRP and psoriasis, and as potential therapeutic targets for both diseases.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 34491907 · DOI · PMC8564909
A novel mutation of ABHD5 gene in a Chanarin Dorfman patient with unusual dermatological findings [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundChanarin Dorfman Syndrome (CDS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the multisytemic accumulation of neutral lipids inside the cytoplasmic lipid droplets.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionsThese results highlihts the importance of genetic testing for ABHD5 in unresolved cases of patients presenting unusual skin lesions, that resemble PRP, associated with a history of hyperlipidemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (244 words)
BackgroundChanarin Dorfman Syndrome (CDS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the multisytemic accumulation of neutral lipids inside the cytoplasmic lipid droplets. This condition is caused by mutations in the abhydrolase domain containing 5 gene (ABHD5). In CDS the skin involvement is the prevalent and always observed clinical feature, consisting of a non-bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (NCIE). Moreover, a variable involvement of the liver and neuromuscular system can be also observed. In this report, we aimed to perform the clinical and genetic characterization of a patient affected by CDS with atypical dermatological findings, considering this rare inborn error of neutral lipid metabolism.MethodsGenomic DNA samples obtained from patient and his parents were used to perform the sequencing of the ABHD5 exons and their intron/exon boundaries. Bioinformatic analyses were performed to investigate the possible effect of the identified mutation on protein structure.ResultsHere we present the case of a 29-year-old male patient with CDS, who, for long time, has been misdiagnosed as pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP). He has a history of increasing hyperlipidemia; hepatomegaly associated with hepatosteatosis was also detected. ABHD5 molecular analysis revealed a novel missense mutation, the c.811G > A (p.G271R). Bioinformatic investigations showed that the variant has a deleterious effect on ABHD5 function, probably causing an incorrect folding of the mutant protein.ConclusionsThese results highlihts the importance of genetic testing for ABHD5 in unresolved cases of patients presenting unusual skin lesions, that resemble PRP, associated with a history of hyperlipidemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 31883530 · DOI · PMC6935165
Manifestation of pityriasis rosea and pityriasis rosea-like eruptions after Covid-19 vaccine: A systematic review [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundAfter introducing Covid-19 vaccines, a few side effects were reported, pityriasis rosea being one of them.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionThe association between pityriasis rosea and pityriasis rosea-like eruptions after Covid-19 vaccines was established, but given the scarcity of studies, there is a need to conduct different clinical trials to confirm this association further and study the etiology and mechanism of the disease.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (187 words)
BackgroundAfter introducing Covid-19 vaccines, a few side effects were reported, pityriasis rosea being one of them. Therefore, this study will systematically review its manifestation afteradministration.MethodsDatabases were searched, covering a timeline from December 1, 2019 to February 28, 2022. Data were independently extracted and accessed for bias. SPSS statistical software version 25 was used for appropriate inferential statistics.ResultsThirty-one studies were included for data extraction after screening following the eligibility criteria. A total of 111 people were identified to have developed pityriasis rosea or pityriasis rosea-like eruptions after vaccination, out of which 36 (55.38%) were female. The average age of incidence was calculated to be 44.92 years, and 63 (62.37%) people presented after administration of the first dose. It was found popularly in the trunk area, either asymptomatically or with mild symptoms. Meantime the onset, was 8.58 days, and meantime it took to recover, was 6.44 weeks.ConclusionThe association between pityriasis rosea and pityriasis rosea-like eruptions after Covid-19 vaccines was established, but given the scarcity of studies, there is a need to conduct different clinical trials to confirm this association further and study the etiology and mechanism of the disease.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 37102660 · DOI · PMC10091373
Loss-of-function mutations in Keratin 32 gene disrupt skin immune homeostasis in pityriasis rubra pilaris [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is an inflammatory papulosquamous dermatosis, characterized by hyperkeratotic follicular papules and erythematous desquamative plaques.
- Closing excerpt
- These findings offer insights into the regulation of skin immune homeostasis by keratin and open up the possibility of using KRT32 as a therapeutic target for PRP.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (194 words)
Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is an inflammatory papulosquamous dermatosis, characterized by hyperkeratotic follicular papules and erythematous desquamative plaques. The precise pathogenic mechanism underlying PRP remains incompletely understood. Herein, we conduct a case-control study involving a cohort of 102 patients with sporadic PRP and 800 healthy controls of Han Chinese population and identify significant associations (P = 1.73 × 10-6) between PRP and heterozygous mutations in the Keratin 32 gene (KRT32). KRT32 is found to be predominantly localized in basal keratinocytes and exhibits an inhibitory effect on skin inflammation by antagonizing the NF-κB pathway. Mechanistically, KRT32 binds to NEMO, promoting excessive K48-linked polyubiquitination and NEMO degradation, which hinders IKK complex formation. Conversely, loss-of-function mutations in KRT32 among PRP patients result in NF-κB hyperactivation. Importantly, Krt32 knockout mice exhibit a PRP-like dermatitis phenotype, suggesting compromised anti-inflammatory function of keratinocytes in response to external pro-inflammatory stimuli. This study proposes a role for KRT32 in regulating inflammatory immune responses, with damaging variants in KRT32 being an important driver in PRP development. These findings offer insights into the regulation of skin immune homeostasis by keratin and open up the possibility of using KRT32 as a therapeutic target for PRP.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39048559 · DOI · PMC11269665
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Pityriasis lichenoides and its subtypes [5]
- Research article Papulopustular rosacea, skin immunity and Demodex: pityriasis folliculorum as a missing link [6]
- Research article Pityriasis rosea: an update with a critical appraisal of its possible herpesviral etiology [7]
- Research article Pityriasis rubra pilaris: a review of diagnosis and treatment [8]
- Research article A Review on Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris [9]
- Research article Pityriasis lichenoides: pathophysiology, classification, and treatment [10]
References
- Shao S, Chen J, Swindell WR, Tsoi LC, Xing X, Ma F, et al.. Phospholipase A2 enzymes represent a shared pathogenic pathway in psoriasis and pityriasis rubra pilaris. . 2021. PMID 34491907 · DOI · PMC8564909
- Eskiocak AH, Missaglia S, Moro L, Durdu M, Tavian D. A novel mutation of ABHD5 gene in a Chanarin Dorfman patient with unusual dermatological findings. . 2019. PMID 31883530 · DOI · PMC6935165
- Khan I, Elsanousi AA, Shareef AM, Tebha SS, Arif A, Gul S. Manifestation of pityriasis rosea and pityriasis rosea-like eruptions after Covid-19 vaccine: A systematic review. . 2023. PMID 37102660 · DOI · PMC10091373
- Shi P, Chen W, Lyu X, Wang Z, Li W, Jia F, et al.. Loss-of-function mutations in Keratin 32 gene disrupt skin immune homeostasis in pityriasis rubra pilaris. . 2024. PMID 39048559 · DOI · PMC11269665
- Bowers S, Warshaw EM. Pityriasis lichenoides and its subtypes. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006. PMID 17010734 · DOI
- Forton FM. Papulopustular rosacea, skin immunity and Demodex: pityriasis folliculorum as a missing link. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2012. PMID 22017468 · DOI
- Drago F, Broccolo F, Rebora A. Pityriasis rosea: an update with a critical appraisal of its possible herpesviral etiology. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009. PMID 19615540 · DOI
- Klein A, Landthaler M, Karrer S. Pityriasis rubra pilaris: a review of diagnosis and treatment. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2010. PMID 20184391 · DOI
- Wang D, Chong VC, Chong WS, Oon HH. A Review on Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018. PMID 29302927 · DOI
- Khachemoune A, Blyumin ML. Pityriasis lichenoides: pathophysiology, classification, and treatment. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2007. PMID 17298104 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.