Self‐reported clinical features and treatment effectiveness of Papillon–Lefèvre syndrome patients from five Latin American countries: A cross‐sectional online survey study

Abstract Background/Objectives Most studies about Papillon–Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) are limited to case reports and patients of the same nationality. This study aimed to determine the self‐reported prevalence of signs, symptoms and treatment effectiveness in PLS patients from five Latin American countries. Methods An online survey was conducted among adult and paediatric patients from Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Brazil. Data were collected using multiple‐choice, open‐ended and image‐chooser questions on demographics, signs and symptoms, perceived treatment effectiveness and quality of life. Results Seventeen patients (10 males and 7 females) aged 4–47 years were surveyed. All had palmoplantar hyperkeratosis. Other affected sites were the feet and hand dorsum (82.35%), Achilles tendon (88.24%), forearms (58.82%), legs (29.41%) and glutes (23.53%). They frequently presented hyperhidrosis and nail pitting. Four had a history of delayed umbilical cord separation. All used topical treatments, with moderate effectiveness; half used oral retinoids, perceived as highly effective. Most reported decreased quality of life and walking difficulties. Conclusions The study's results align with prior research on PLS, but reveal new insights, including the impact on patients' quality of life and a history of delayed umbilical cord separation. These findings warrant consideration in future research and patient care.