P090 Incidence of cutaneous graft-versus-host disease in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant patients: retrospective cohort study in tertiary care centre

Abstract This is a retrospective cohort study that investigated the incidence and risk factors of cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) among 76 patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). GVHD, a severe immunological complication, primarily targets the skin and manifests as acute or chronic forms (Sundram U. A review of important skin disorders occurring in the posttransplant patient. Adv Anat Pathol 2014; 21: 321–9; Socié G, Ritz J. Current issues in chronic graft-versus-host disease. Blood 2014; 124: 374–84). In this study, acute cutaneous GVHD occurred in 67% of cases, while 33% exhibited chronic symptoms. A statistically significant association was observed between sex mismatch, especially female-to-male donor transplants (P = 0.009), and GVHD occurrence. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) was also identified as a notable risk factor (P = 0.02). This retrospective cohort study analysed data collected over 4 years, evaluating clinical manifestations, histopathological findings and risk factors. Graft sources included bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells, with no significant difference in GVHD incidence between these methods. Common dermatological findings were erythematous maculopapular eruptions on the trunk (56%), facial erythema and swelling (43%) and hyperpigmentation (33%). Acute GVHD predominantly presented as grade 1 or 2 disease, while severe cases were rare. These results are consistent with existing literature, emphasizing the role of immune dysregulation in GVHD pathogenesis. This study highlights the importance of sex matching and rigorous monitoring in patients with ALL to mitigate GVHD risks. Although the study is limited by its single-centre design, the findings provide valuable insights into cutaneous GVHD, reinforcing the need for tailored interventions and further multicentre research to enhance patient outcomes. These contributions underscore the clinical significance of identifying and managing GVHD risk factors in HSCT recipients.