Extending Prayer Marks as a Sign of Worsening Chronic Disease

Authors

  • M Cangiano University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington
  • Mohammod J Chisti ICDDR,B, GPO Box 128, Dhaka
  • Mark AC Pietroni ICDDR,B, GPO Box 128, Dhaka
  • Jonathan H Smith ICDDR,B, GPO Box 128, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh, and Portex Unit: Paediatric Anaesthesia, UCL Institute of Child Health, London

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v29i3.7877

Keywords:

Chronic disease, Elbows, Extending, Prayer marks, Bangladesh

Abstract

A 60-year old Muslim man was admitted to the Dhaka Hospital of ICDDR,B with an exacerbation of his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Incidental hyperpigmented skin lesions were noticed overlying the dorsum of his ankles, knees, and elbows. Such asymptomatic areas of thickened, lichenified and hyperpigmented skin are called 'prayer marks' and are well-imprinted on the knees, ankles, and forehead. These are secondary to prolonged periods of pressure over bony prominences during prayer. The patient’s wife stated that the appearance of the elbow marks had coincided with an increase in his breathlessness and subsequent use of his elbows to rise from daily prayers. Prayer marks extending to the elbows could be a sign of worsening chronic disease.

Key words: Chronic disease; Elbows, Extending; Prayer marks; Bangladesh

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v29i3.7877

J HEALTH POPUL NUTR 2011 Jun;29(3):290-291

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Published

2011-06-22

How to Cite

Cangiano, M., Chisti, M. J., Pietroni, M. A., & Smith, J. H. (2011). Extending Prayer Marks as a Sign of Worsening Chronic Disease. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 29(3), 290–291. https://doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v29i3.7877

Issue

Vol. 29 No. 3 (2011)

Section

Case studies