Erythromelalgia: a clinical study of 87 cases.

We report on aetiological factors, clinical findings and prognosis of 87 patients with erythromelalgia (EM). This is the largest material reported in the western literature. There is a 100% follow up of patients with observation period up to 11 years. There were 61 females and 26 males. About two-thirds of the patients were primary cases and around three-quarters had a chronic condition. The condition was more common in lower than in upper extremities. Over time patients with erythromelalgic syndrome gradually get worse, those with primary and secondary acute EM get better, whilst primary and secondary chronic EM remain stable.