The correlation between histopatology severity score, expression of JAK1 and expression of STAT3 in psoriasis vulgaris

Background Psoriasis vulgaris diagnosis and severity are currently considered as less objective. Histopathological scoring using Trozak's score is a quantitative assessment which is considered to represent the disease's process. Janus Kinase (JAK) 1 and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) 3 examinations in psoriasis vulgaris is also currently considered to represent the diseases’ process and severity. Objective To analyze the correlation between JAK1 and STAT3 expression with the severity of psoriasis vulgaris as determined by the Trozak score on paraffin block with psoriasis vulgaris features. Methods This was retrospective cross-sectional study on 37 paraffin blocks with psoriasis vulgaris features at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology and Pathology Anatomy of RSUD Dr. Soetomo Surabaya. The results of the biopsy in the form of paraffin blocks were re-cut, stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin (HE), anti-JAK1, and anti-STAT3 antibodies. Psoriasis vulgaris severity was determined histopathologically by Trozak score. Immunohistochemical score was calculated from the total score of fluorescent cells after staining with anti-JAK1 and anti-STAT3 antibodies. Correlation analysis was performed with Spearman test, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results Thirty-seven biopsies were from 21 (56.76%) female patients and 16 (42.2%) male patients were collected, with the highest incidence found in the 45-60 years age group (43.2%). No significant correlation was found between the increase in JAK1 and STAT3 scores with an increase in Trozak scores on paraffin block with psoriasis vulgaris features. Conclusion No significant correlation between Trozak score, JAK1, and STAT3 were found on paraffin blocks with psoriasis vulgaris features.