The initial five classifications of pityriasis rubra pilaris were presented to the British Association of Dermatologists in 2003 by Dr. Andrew Griffith, a well-respected London-based dermatologist. His classifications reflected 35 years of diagnosing, treating and researching PRP and have been universally accepted by dermatologists worldwide.

• Adult Onset PRP
• Juvenile Onset PRP

Griffiths further divides the PRP patient population into FIVE  types

Adult Onset PRP

• Type 1 — Classical Adult Onset PRP
• Type 2 — Atypical Adult Onset PRP

Juvenile Onset PRP

• Type 3 — Classical Juvenile Onset PRP. Usually occurs between 5 and 10 years old
• Type 4 — Circumscribed Juvenile Onset PRP. Occurs in pre-pubertal children. Usually confined to palms, soles, knees and elbows
• Type 5 — Atypical Juvenile  Onset PRP. Sometimes inherited; occurs at birth or early in childhood

HIV-Associated PRP

• Type 6 was added subsequent to the introduction of Griffiths’ five classifications. HIV-Associated PRP is characterized by the presence of HIV infection. A Type 6 diagnosis is extremely rare and statistically excluded from patient population estimates.

EPILOGUE

No one seems to have taken credit for adding Type 6 to the list. Why is that? Could Type 6, HIV-associated PRP actually be Type 1, Adult Onset with HIV as a comorbidity? In medicine, comorbidity is the presence of one or more additional diseases or disorders co-occurring with (that is, concomitant or concurrent with) a primary disease or disorder. We will keep asking dermatologists until we get an unambiguous answer.

What are the Odds of Getting PRP? CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE to access The Dowling Oration