Parekh Niyati; Bhatia Kailash; Dayal Satguru; Kataria Rajesh; Lokwani Hitesh; Goyal Gagan; Sharma Rini; Syed Amin; Bhatia Jushya; Sarin Ankur; Bhatia Lavin
Volume 20, Issue 2 , 2017, , Pages 43-49
Abstract
Background: Autologous serum skin test (ASST) evaluates the presence of any serum histamine-releasing factors and histamine-releasing autoantibodies. Autologous serum therapy (AST) is a therapy in which repeated injections of autologous serum are administered intramuscularly for treatment of chronicspontaneous ...
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Background: Autologous serum skin test (ASST) evaluates the presence of any serum histamine-releasing factors and histamine-releasing autoantibodies. Autologous serum therapy (AST) is a therapy in which repeated injections of autologous serum are administered intramuscularly for treatment of chronicspontaneous urticaria (CSU). The aim of this study is to evaluate the advantages and compare the results of the ASST and the efficacy of AST in CSU patients.Methods: We included a total of 39 patients that presented with urticaria of more than 6 weeks duration in this study. Patients who suffered from acute urticaria, urticarial vasculitis, physical urticaria, and other systemic diseases known to cause urticaria were excluded. Standard tools and techniques were used to prepare autologous serum, injection of the serum, and interpretation of the results. The test result was implicated as positive and negative ASST.
Nasiri Soheila; Iranmanesh Behzad; Gheisari Mehdi; Abdollahimajd Fahimeh; Nobari Niloufar
Abstract
Background: Alopecia Areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease affecting hair follicles. Although many details are well specified in the pathogenesis of the disease, there exist certain aspects which require more investigations. Given the fact that the increase in Th-1 immunity is the essential part of the ...
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Background: Alopecia Areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease affecting hair follicles. Although many details are well specified in the pathogenesis of the disease, there exist certain aspects which require more investigations. Given the fact that the increase in Th-1 immunity is the essential part of the pathogenesis, the incrimination of osteopontin, as a Th-1 cytokine, is considered appropriate in the pathogenesis of the disease. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the role of osteopontin in alopecia areata and its correlation with disease pattern and severity.
Methods: This case-control study consisted of 45 patients with alopecia areata and 45 health individuals. The level of osteopontin was measured through blood sampling and ELISA method.
Results: The mean plasma level of osteopontin was significantly lower in patients with alopecia areata than controls (P<0.05)
Conclusions: The plasma level of osteopontin in patients with alopecia areata is lower than healthy controls. Moreover, there is no significant relationship between the plasma level of osteopontin and disease severity. The clinical manifestations of alopecia areata might be a sign of the altered protective effects of osteopontin. Needless to say, more investigation is required to clarify the correlation between alopecia areata and osteopontin.
Ghiasi Maryam; Lajevardi Vahide; Farahbakhsh Abbas
Volume 18, Issue 2 , 2015, , Pages 45-50
Abstract
Background and Aim: Vitiligo is a hypopigmentation disorder of the skin that is associated with depression and an impaired quality of life. There has been conflicting reports on the association between the disease and the serum levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folic acid.In this study,serum levels ...
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Background and Aim: Vitiligo is a hypopigmentation disorder of the skin that is associated with depression and an impaired quality of life. There has been conflicting reports on the association between the disease and the serum levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folic acid.In this study,serum levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folic acid were evaluated in patients with vitiligo.Methods: Thirty patients with vitiligo and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited. Venous blood samples wereobtained from the study subjects and the levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folic acid were measured. Data were analyzedusing non-parametric statistical tests.Results: No significant differences were found in the levels of serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folic acid between vitiligo patients and healthy controls. Moreover, there were no associations between these factors and age, body weight, gender,as well as the extent, duration, and type of vitiligo.Conclusion: It seems that vitiligo is not related to serum levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folic acid.
Nasrin Hamidizadeh; Behrooz Barikbin; Maryam Yousefi; Abbas Sahraei; Ali Khamesipour; Shima Younespour; Hanif Sadeghitehrani
Volume 14, Issue 2 , 2011, , Pages 48-51
Abstract
Introduction: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania species. Currently accessible treatments remain insufficient, and there is pressure to develop suitable and effectual options. In this study, we used different concentrations of podophyllin in vitro on leishmania parasites ...
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Introduction: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania species. Currently accessible treatments remain insufficient, and there is pressure to develop suitable and effectual options. In this study, we used different concentrations of podophyllin in vitro on leishmania parasites and then on leishmaniasis lesions in mice and compared their efficacy. Method: We used podophyllin (14.3 µg/ml) in vitro against leishmania major parasites, then in experimental animals in different concentrations. Results: Podophyllin (14.3 µg/ml) that used in vitro eradicated leishmania major parasites, but, in mice after four weeks was not effective and the diameter of the lesions increase with use of topical podophyllin. Conclusion: Despite the lethal effect on leishmania in vitro, treatment with different doses of podophyllin could not accelerate the healing process of the leishmaniasis lesions of the experimental rats.
Radmanesh Mohammad; Azar-Beig Mohsen
Volume 16, Issue 2 , 2013, , Pages 49-52
Abstract
Background: The cold-induced inflammation of cryotherapy mayalter the immunologic processes and structural components ofthe hair follicles responsible for AA. The aim of this study was tostudy the efficacy of cryotherapy in alopecia areata, and totalis.Method: Forty-four patients with recalcitrant scalp ...
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Background: The cold-induced inflammation of cryotherapy mayalter the immunologic processes and structural components ofthe hair follicles responsible for AA. The aim of this study was tostudy the efficacy of cryotherapy in alopecia areata, and totalis.Method: Forty-four patients with recalcitrant scalp alopeciaareata or totalis were treated with cryotherapy. The cryo-systemchosen was a closed contact CO2 system with metallic probes.The patients were evaluated for 4-8 weeks for hair growth.Satisfactory hair growth after 8 weeks was an indication forperforming cryotherapy for the remaining untreated areas.Result: Varying degrees of hair growth were detected in 52.50%of the patients four weeks and in 65.90 % eight weeks aftertreatment. About 38.64% of the patients showed more than 50%hair regrowth 8 weeks after therapy.Conclusion: Cryotherapy is effective for about two-thirds of thepatients with alopecia areata, many of whom are unresponsiveto conventional therapies.
Nassiri-Kashani Mansour; Nassiri-Kashani Mohammad Hassan; Khatami Alireza; Ghafari Mostafa; Firooz Alireza; Dowlati Yahya
Volume 17, Issue 2 , 2014, , Pages 49-53
Abstract
Background: Job-related allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) mayprolong the disease duration, increase disabilities, and decreasethe patient’s quality of life. The aim of this study was to determinecommon allergens causing ACD, investigating certain featuresof the disease and evaluating its relation ...
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Background: Job-related allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) mayprolong the disease duration, increase disabilities, and decreasethe patient’s quality of life. The aim of this study was to determinecommon allergens causing ACD, investigating certain featuresof the disease and evaluating its relation to the patients’ jobs.Method: In this cross-sectional study, relevant data was obtainedfrom patch test clinics at the Center for Research and Trainingin Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of MedicalSciences, and two private dermatology clinics in Tehran, Iran.Nine hundred and forty six patients from different regions of Iranwith a probable diagnosis of ACD were recruited into the study.Patch testing was used as the gold standard test to differentiateACD from other differential diagnoses.Result: Of 946 studied patients with a probable diagnosis ofACD, 649 (68.6%) cases were females. The mean age ± standarddeviation (SD) of the patients was 31.9 ± 12.3 years. Five hundredand twenty eight (55.7%) cases had positive patch test results toat least one tested allergen. Comparing job-related and non jobrelatedACD patients revealed that while there was a significantdifference in the mean age of the two group (30.6 ± 11.3 vs.32.7 ± 12.9 years in job-related and non-job-related groups,respectively) (P=0.016), there were no significant differences inthe gender distribution, number of positive patch tests, frequencyof allergens, reaction time, and severity of reactions between thetwo groups. Nickel sulphate and cobalt chloride were the twomost common allergens in both groups.Conclusion: Job-related patients were younger and most of themwere female compared to non job-related patients. However,other characteristics were not different between the two groups.
zeinab Aryanian; Mohammad Keramatipour; Nafiseh Esmaili; Azadeh Goodarzi; Arghavan Azizpour; Ifa Etesami; Maede Rayati Damavandi; Ghazaleh Zarrinrad; Somayeh Ahmadloo; Narges Ghandi
Abstract
Background: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune bullous disease of the skin and mucous membranes caused by activation and proliferation of T cells, production of Th2 cytokine profile and pathogenic antibodies. Vitamin D is a probable immunodeviator to Th2, which its actions are ...
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Background: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune bullous disease of the skin and mucous membranes caused by activation and proliferation of T cells, production of Th2 cytokine profile and pathogenic antibodies. Vitamin D is a probable immunodeviator to Th2, which its actions are mediated through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). FokI is the only single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) leading to VDR protein with a different structure and function. For the first time, we focused on FokI VDR SNP to evaluate its potential role in the genetic susceptibility to PV, particularly in the Iranian population that has a high prevalence of pemphigus.Methods: In this case-control study, DNA samples of 122 PV patients and 233 healthy controls were extracted, and FokI genotyping was performed using the PCR-RFLP method.Results: The mean allele frequencies of F and f alleles in the PV and control groups were 75% and 25%, and 78% and 22%, respectively, showing no significant difference. The genotype frequencies for FF, Ff, and ff genotypes in the case group were 57.4%, 35.2%, and 7.4%, respectively. In the control group, the frequencies were 60%, 36%, and 4%, respectively. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups.Conclusion: The present study concluded the frequencies of F and f alleles as approximately 77% and 23% in the gene pool of the Iranian population. Additionally, it showed no association between the FokI alleles and PV in this population.
Mehran Golnaz; Fotooei Mahrokh; Goodarzi Azadeh; Forghani Siamak Farokh; Rohaninasab Masoomeh; Ghassemi Mohammadreza; Sadeghi Somayeh; Behrangi Elham
Abstract
Background: Microneedling is recently used to treat skin scars mostly atrophic scars; however, there are limited data about its effectiveness on hypertrophic burn scars. Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is an effective method for the treatment of burn scars. Here, we aim to compare the efficacy of microneedling ...
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Background: Microneedling is recently used to treat skin scars mostly atrophic scars; however, there are limited data about its effectiveness on hypertrophic burn scars. Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is an effective method for the treatment of burn scars. Here, we aim to compare the efficacy of microneedling to CO2 laser in the treatment of hypertrophic burn scars in a randomized clinical trial. Methods: Patients with second and third-degree burn scars (n=60) were randomized to receive 3 sessions of microneedling (n=30) or CO2 laser (n=30), 4-6 weeks apart. The outcomes, including physical characteristics of the scar scored by Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and patients’ satisfaction with the treatment measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), were investigated at baseline, at the end of the treatment period, and at the 3-month follow-up. Results: The VSS score at the follow-up visit showed a significant reduction from 6.63±1.95 to 3.8±2.3 in the microneedling group and from 7.1+2.3 to 5.6±1.7 in the CO2 laser group; while, the reduced VSS score was significantly higher in the microneedling group (P<0.05), especially in reducing the thickness (P=0.001) and pliability (P=0.001) scores. The patients’ subjective assessments for acne improvement were significantly more satisfactory in the microneedling group (P=0.025).
Conclusion: Microneedling seems to be an effective method to improve hypertrophic burn scars. It also causes better scores in the physical characteristics of scar and the patients’ satisfaction compared to the CO2 laser at the 3-month follow-up.
Maleki Masoud; Javidi Zari; –rad Mohammad Ebrahimi; Hamidi Hamid
Volume 11, Issue 2 , 2008, , Pages 55-59
Abstract
Background: Surgical treatments of vitiligo are punch grafting, blister grafting, flip-top transplantation, split skin grafting, etc aiming at rebuilding of melanocytic population in those patients who do not respond to medical treatment . The objective of this study was determination of efficacy of ...
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Background: Surgical treatments of vitiligo are punch grafting, blister grafting, flip-top transplantation, split skin grafting, etc aiming at rebuilding of melanocytic population in those patients who do not respond to medical treatment . The objective of this study was determination of efficacy of blister grafting technique in the treatment of vitiligo. Methods: This study was done on 10 patients with vitiligo of face and /or distal extremities who had received different medical treatments including PUVA and had not responded, and their diseases were stable. Blister in recipient site was created by cryotherapy and in donor site by using vacuum device. Then donor site blister was transferred to the recipient site and both sites were covered by dressing. Results: 10 patients (8 females & 2 males) with mean age of 31.2±11.4 years entered the study. After 1-6 weeks, first signs of repigmentation were observed and after 4 months complete repigmentation occured in 7 patients (70%) In two patients, a repigmentation of more than 50% was observed while in one patient no pigmentation was seen which was related to errors in surgical technique. Conclusion: Blister grafting surgery in limited patches of vitiligo which have not responded to medical treatments gives excellent results of prolonged repigmentation without any scar formation.
Tehranchinia Zohreh; Rahimi Hoda; Shahidi-Dadras Mohammad; Farnaghi Ali; Ahadi Mahsa Seyed; Ahadi Maral Seyed
Volume 13, Issue 3 , 2010, , Pages 71-77
Abstract
Background: Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer in human beings. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a novel therapeutic method which may be regarded as a non-invasive useful alternative for traditional treatments of BCC. This study was designed with the aim of evaluating the ...
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Background: Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer in human beings. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a novel therapeutic method which may be regarded as a non-invasive useful alternative for traditional treatments of BCC. This study was designed with the aim of evaluating the primary response of BCC to PDT.Methods: This clinical trial was performed on 28 BCC lesions. Patients were treated with ALA-PDT monthly for 1-6 sessions and evaluated for clinical response, cosmetic results and probable side effects.Results: Twenty three out of 28 lesions showed response to PDT (9 showed complete response and 14 showed partial response). The cosmetic result was excellent or good in 77.5% of the cases. In 92.8% of the cases, no or mild side effects were observed. Patients with a positive history of radiotherapy responded less (p<0.05). No significant relationship was found between patients' age, sex, localization, diameter or type of BCC with clinical response.Conclusion: PDT might be a good therapeutic option in the treatment of BCC, especially the superficial type, with high efficacy and few side effects.
Alhumidi Ahmed Abdullah; Fahad Mohammed Alsaif
Volume 19, Issue 3 , 2016, , Pages 73-78
Abstract
Background: Pregnancy-specific dermatoses represent a group of pruritic skin diseases unique to pregnancy and the most common types are polymorphic eruption of pregnancy and pemphigoid gestationis. It is difficult to obtain a histopathological diagnosis for polymorphic eruption of pregnancy and pemphigoid ...
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Background: Pregnancy-specific dermatoses represent a group of pruritic skin diseases unique to pregnancy and the most common types are polymorphic eruption of pregnancy and pemphigoid gestationis. It is difficult to obtain a histopathological diagnosis for polymorphic eruption of pregnancy and pemphigoid gestationis in the lack of immunofluorescence because of their similar clinical presentation, particularly in the absence of bullous eruptions. We assessed the potential correlation between cellular cutaneous infiltration and a diagnosis of polymorphic eruption of pregnancy or pemphigoid gestationis. Methods: This retrospective analysis was conducted at King Khalid University Hospital (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) using biopsybased data collected from 1999–2014. The study group included 29 patients with polymorphic eruption of pregnancy and 24 patients with pemphigoid gestationis. Results: Three skin biopsy reports were excluded due to a strong history of atopy to rule out any possibility of atopic eruption of pregnancy. We performed a histopathological study of 50 patients. The data analysis revealed significant eosinophilic cell infiltration along the dermoepidermal junction and the tagging of eosinophils along the basal layer in biopsies from pemphigoid gestationis. Conclusion: We observed significant eosinophilic cell infiltration along the dermoepidermal junction and the tagging of eosinophils along the basal layer, which may support a diagnosis of pemphigoid gestationis in the absence of direct immunofluorescence.
Ghandi Narges; Balighi Kamran; Ghiasi Maryam; Soori Tahereh; Kiani Pardis
Volume 15, Issue 3 , 2012, , Pages 74-79
Abstract
Background: Preexisting guidelines about clinical managementof cutaneous wounds are based on wound dressing and avoidingwater exposure for at least 48 hours. In this study, infectionrate in the patients who underwent melanocytic nevus surgerywith dressed dry wounds were compared with the patients whoallowed ...
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Background: Preexisting guidelines about clinical managementof cutaneous wounds are based on wound dressing and avoidingwater exposure for at least 48 hours. In this study, infectionrate in the patients who underwent melanocytic nevus surgerywith dressed dry wounds were compared with the patients whoallowed their wounds to become wet.Method: In a controlled randomized clinical trial study, theincidence rate of infection in facial melanocytic nevi surgery inthe wounds that became wet 24 hours after surgery (234 wounds)were compared with similar wounds that were kept dry for atleast for 48 hours (234 wounds).Result: The infection rate was 3.4 % (8 wounds) for the drywounds versus 2.6 % (6 wounds) for the wet wounds; comparisonof these two rates showed no statistically significant difference(P=0.548, odds ratio= 1.345, CI 95%: 0.459-3.939).Conclusion: The results of this study showed that it was safe toremove the dressing of the wounds within 24 hours after minorsurgery without concern about infections and allow wounds tobecome wet after 24 hours under normal circumstances.
Bakhtiari Sedigheh; Toossi Parviz; Taheri Jamileh Beigom; Azimi Somayyeh; Bengar Mahnaz Kalantari; Namazi Zahra; Rafieian Nasrin
Volume 20, Issue 3 , 2017, , Pages 75-78
Abstract
Background: ABO blood group antigens may play a role in the pathophysiology of certain diseases. Several studies have investigated the relation between blood group and autoimmune disorders. In this research, we evaluated the associations between ABO blood types and rhesus (Rh) factor in pemphigus patients.Methods: ...
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Background: ABO blood group antigens may play a role in the pathophysiology of certain diseases. Several studies have investigated the relation between blood group and autoimmune disorders. In this research, we evaluated the associations between ABO blood types and rhesus (Rh) factor in pemphigus patients.Methods: In this case-control, hospital-based study, we evaluated the prevalence of blood group on 110 pemphigus patients and 126 controls. The chi-square test was used to compare qualitative variables and examine the relationship between blood groups and Rh in pemphigus patients and a control group.Results: Blood group (O) was found in 46.3% (O+ 38.2%) of patients with pemphigus, followed by blood type A (30.0%; A+ 27.3%), and blood groups B and AB. Compared to the control group, we noted that the distribution of blood groups, with Rh (P=0.73) or without Rh (P=0.52), did not significantly differ.Conclusion: Although some associations between blood group antigens and specific diseases have been reported in the literature, this study did not find any statistically significant relationship between blood groups and pemphigus disease.
Saniee Sara; Zare Armaghan Ghareaghaji; Radmehr Afsaneh
Abstract
Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common localized nonscarring hair loss. Vitamin D and such trace elements as zinc have significant immunomodulatory roles and are reduced in many autoimmune diseases. We aim to evaluate the zinc and vitamin D levels in AA patients belonging to an Iranian population.
Methods: ...
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Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common localized nonscarring hair loss. Vitamin D and such trace elements as zinc have significant immunomodulatory roles and are reduced in many autoimmune diseases. We aim to evaluate the zinc and vitamin D levels in AA patients belonging to an Iranian population.
Methods: We randomly recruited 77 patients with AA, and 112 age- and sex-matched normal subjects. Serum zinc and vitamin D levels were measured and compared between groups. Patients were considered vitamin D deficient or insufficient if 25-OH vitamin D levels were <10 and 10 to 30 ng/ml, respectively.
Results: Disease duration was 6.73±1.05 months. Compared to the control group, AA patients had significantly lower zinc (87.78±20.61 vs. 92.76±28.00, p=0.008) and vitamin D levels (20.23±11.11 vs. 25.63±15.90, p=0.01) and higher vitamin D deficiency (19.5% vs. 10.7%, p=0.03). There were significant correlations between AA duration and zinc levels (r=0.483, p<0.001); no recognizable relationship, on the other hand, was observed with vitamin Dlevels (r=0.022, p=0.84).Conclusion: There were significantly lower levels of zinc and vitamin D in AA patients, compared to normal subjects. Zinc level is inversely correlated with disease duration, and both zinc and vitamin D play crucial roles in AA pathogenesis and are possible supplements in AA treatment.
MA Nilforoosh Zadeh; T Jalayer; B Ataei; F Jafari; M Motavali Emami
Volume 7, Issue 2 , 2004, , Pages 78-83
Abstract
Background: Humans, rodents and sandflies have role in transmitted cycle of cutaneous leishmaniasis. To control the disease, promoting the environment, killing the rodent and poisoning the vectors are recommended, individually all over the world. Since, there is no effective vaccine against this disease, ...
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Background: Humans, rodents and sandflies have role in transmitted cycle of cutaneous leishmaniasis. To control the disease, promoting the environment, killing the rodent and poisoning the vectors are recommended, individually all over the world. Since, there is no effective vaccine against this disease, the integration of methods is considerable. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of integration method in the control of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Patients and Methods: This study was an interventional study, which after knowing the ecosystem around the Imamzadeh Agha Ali Abbas in Natanz in Isfahan, perform the plat covering within a radius of 100m, entrances correction, pool and garbage storage removal and sweepings for the rodents within a radius of 2kms around the Imamzadeh and poisoning the vectors have been done. Results: The incidence of disease was 3.7% in 1996 (Before intervention), which was decreased to 1/17 in 1996 and to 1/12 a year later. Conclusion: Integration method consisting of environment improvement, rodents removal and poisoning as well as training high risk people is recommended to control cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Azizzadeh Maryam; Malek Mojtaba; Amiri Mehdi; Ghorbani Raheb
Volume 12, Issue 3 , 2009, , Pages 79-81
Abstract
Background: Psoriasis vulgaris is a common chronic and inflammatory disease of skin that its etiology is not completely known. However, it seems that genetic and environmental factors play a role in this disease. In vitro studies show that prolactin as a neurohormone has an etiologic effect on psoriasis. ...
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Background: Psoriasis vulgaris is a common chronic and inflammatory disease of skin that its etiology is not completely known. However, it seems that genetic and environmental factors play a role in this disease. In vitro studies show that prolactin as a neurohormone has an etiologic effect on psoriasis. This study aimed to compare serum prolactin levels in psoriatic patients with control group. Method: Prolactin level in serum was measured with ELISA method in 30 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and in 30 healthy persons as control group, which they had been matched with a view to age and sex. Result: Mean serum prolactin level in psoriatic patients was not significantly higher than control group. However, there was statistically significant relation between severity of disease and serum prolactin levels (r= 0.521, p=0.003). Conclusion: Positive relation between severity of psoriasis vulgaris and serum prolactin levels may suggest that prolactin is an index that shows severity of disease.
Nadia Abdalhafid Elsherif; Salwa Abdalsalm El-Dibany; Azza SH Greiw
Abstract
Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is non-scarring hair loss. Its etiopathology is not fully known, most evidence considered AA an immunologically mediated disease. To compare serum levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) between AA patients and healthy subjects, and to assess whether AA is associated with ...
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Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is non-scarring hair loss. Its etiopathology is not fully known, most evidence considered AA an immunologically mediated disease. To compare serum levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) between AA patients and healthy subjects, and to assess whether AA is associated with atopy.
Methods: 50 AA patients and 50 healthy subjects were included in this study. Presence of atopy was elicited by detailed family and/ or personal history of atopy. Clinically patients were divided into 2 groups: patients with single patch of AA (alopecia unilocularis, AU), or with multiple patches (alopecia multilocularis, AM). Serum levels of IgE were measured in both groups.
Results: Serum levels of total IgE were significantly higher in patients than in controls (178 ± 154 ku/l vs. 118 ± 57 ku/l; P < 0.05). Evidence of atopy was present in 48% of AA patients compare to 18% of control subjects (P < 0.05). Patients with disease duration more than one year had significantly higher serum IgE levels (P < 0.05), and patients with AM had significantly higher serum IgE levels than patients with AU (267 ± 189 ku/l vs. 102 ± 32.3 ku/l; P < 0.05). Mean value of serum IgE did not vary significantly with patient’s age at onset, gender, history of atopy or family history of AA. Atopy was significantly associated with AM.
Conclusion: Total serum IgE is elevated in AA patients with significant association with severe and chronic disease irrespective of the presence of atopy. Atopic diseases were more frequent in AA patients with severe clinical presentation.
Amanjot Kaur Arora; Alka Dogra; Sunil Kumar Gupta
Volume 17, Issue 3 , 2014, , Pages 85-90
Abstract
Background: Plantar warts may be refractory to any form of treatment and are associated with pain and a decreased quality of life. There are very few randomized controlled studies that focuson the treatment of plantar warts. Cryotherapy and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) have been used ...
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Background: Plantar warts may be refractory to any form of treatment and are associated with pain and a decreased quality of life. There are very few randomized controlled studies that focuson the treatment of plantar warts. Cryotherapy and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) have been used in the treatment of this recalcitrant condition. However, no data exists comparing the efficacy ofthese treatment options in the treatment of plantar warts. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of cryotherapy and RFA in the treatment of plantar warts.Method: Fifty patients with a clinical diagnosis of plantar warts were included in the study. They were randomly divided into two groups of 25 patients. After paring the warts, Group A wastreated with cryotherapy with nitrous oxide and Group B was treated by RFA of warts every 2 weeks for a maximum period of 12 weeks. The results of the two groups were compared atthe end of 12 weeks.Result: Fifty patients had a total of 212 warts. Eighty four percent (21/25) of the patients receiving RFA experienced subjective benefits within 2 sessions whereas in the cryotherapy group, 72% (19/25) of the patients required three to four sessions to experience subjective benefits (p = 0.00189). Eighty four percent (21/25) of the patients and 91.6% (121/132) of the warts in theRFA group achieved complete clearance by the end of 12 weeks whereas only 32% (8/25) of the patients and 31.25 % (25/80) of the warts receiving cryotherapy achieved complete clearance bythe end of 12 weeks (p = 0.00681).Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation is more effective than cryotherapy in the treatment of plantar warts and gives quicker subjective and objective results.
Rahman Muhammad Hasibur; Hadiuzzaman Md; Bhuiyan Mohammod Kamruj Jaman; Islam Nahida; Ansari Nazma Parvin; Mumu Sabrina Alam; Chowdhury Israt Jahan
Volume 14, Issue 3 , 2011, , Pages 86-91
Abstract
Background: Superficial fungal infections of skin are very common in rural areas of Bangladesh. The prevalence and characteristics of superficial fungal infections (SFIs) vary with age, sex, climatic conditions, lifestyle, and population migration patterns. There is no study in Bangladesh to determine ...
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Background: Superficial fungal infections of skin are very common in rural areas of Bangladesh. The prevalence and characteristics of superficial fungal infections (SFIs) vary with age, sex, climatic conditions, lifestyle, and population migration patterns. There is no study in Bangladesh to determine the prevalence and pattern of superficial fungal infection. This study was undertaken to determine the characteristics of SFIs amongst rural patients visiting in the Dermatology outpatient Department of Community Based Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Methods: From January to December 2008, there were 3438 patients visited in Dermatology outpatient department.Out of them 601 patients are diagnosed as SFIs (310 males and 291 females), aged between at birth to 90 years were included in this study. The diagnosis of SFIs was based on clinical presentation mainly which were confirmed by laboratory direct microscopy and culture. Results: Tinea Corporis (22.63%) was the most frequent infection followed by ptyriasis versicolor (12.81%), oral thrush (12.48%), tinea capitis (10.32%), tinea pedis (9.82%), tinea cruris (8.32%), candidal intertrigo (6.49%), onychomycosis (4.33%), chronic paronychia (3.49%), tinea fasciae (3%), tinea manuum and genital candidiasis (1.83%), tinea incognito (1.66%) and tinea barbae (1%). Among candidal infection, oral thrush (12.48%) most common followed by intertrigo (6.49%), chronic paronychia (3.49%), genital candidiasis (1.83%). Tinea capitis (11.85%) and oral thrush (13.96%) were most prevalent in children. Whereas tinea corporis was most common (17.40%) in adults. The prevalence of SFIs was greater in males than females. Children were most commonly affected by tinea capitis, oral thrush and tinea corporis, whereas adults are generally suffered from tinea corporis, ptyriasis versicolor and tinea cruris. The frequency of tinea corporis, tinea pedis and onychomycosis were much greater in elderly population. Conclusion: This study clearly shows that SFIs are of concern in both genders and in all age groups. The prevalence of superficial fungal infections are increasing in day by day throughout the Bangladesh. The pattern and distribution of SFI in Bangladesh particularly in rural population seems to very high beyond our prediction.
L Dastgheib; M Aziz Zadeh; P Jafari
Volume 8, Issue 2 , 2005, , Pages 88-92
Abstract
Background: Tinea capitis is a relatively common fungal infection in children. Although several oral anti-fungal agents have been used in the treatment of tinea capitis, griseofulvin has been considered as the treatment of choice for a long time. Objective: To compare the therapeutic effects of fluconazole ...
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Background: Tinea capitis is a relatively common fungal infection in children. Although several oral anti-fungal agents have been used in the treatment of tinea capitis, griseofulvin has been considered as the treatment of choice for a long time. Objective: To compare the therapeutic effects of fluconazole with griseofulvin on tinea capitis. Patients and Methods: Through a randomized, single-blinded, clinical trial on 40 clinically suspected an mycologically confirmed tinea capitis cases, 19 cases received oral fluconazole for 4 weeks and 21 patients were treated with griseofulvin for 6 weeks. All patients were evaluated clinically and mycologically before receiving their treatment and 8 weeks after the beginning of treatment. Results: The age range of the patients was from 1 to 16 years. Thirty-two cases were males. Mycology studies indicated that the causative agents were trichophyton verrucosum in 16 cases, trichophyton violaceum in 16 cases and microporum canis in 8 cases. At the end of the eighth week of the beginning of treatment, 15 cases were cured in the fluconazole group compared with 16 cases in the griseofulvin group (P>0.05). Conclusion: It seems that griseofulvin could be still considered as the first choice drug in the treatment of tinea capitis and fluconazole could be used as an alternative drug.
Ebadi Atyeh; Moravvej Hamideh; Hejazi Somayeh; Younespour Shima; Ghalamkarpour Fariba
Volume 16, Issue 3 , 2013, , Pages 89-93
Abstract
Background: Despite great advances in therapeutic regimens,complete repigmentation in vitiligo is still out of reach. The aimof this assay was to study the efficacy and tolerability of repeatedneedling combined with narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB)therapy in the treatment of generalized, stable, refractory ...
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Background: Despite great advances in therapeutic regimens,complete repigmentation in vitiligo is still out of reach. The aimof this assay was to study the efficacy and tolerability of repeatedneedling combined with narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB)therapy in the treatment of generalized, stable, refractory vitiligo.Method: Twenty-six patients with stable generalized intractablevitiligo were recruited in before/after clinical trial. The patientsreceived needling for selected patches weekly for 12 weeks. Allthe patients received NBUVB phototherapy three times a week.Repigmentation improvement was assessed by two blindedinvestigators at weeks 4, 8 and 12. Tolerability was assessed bya 5-point scale.Result: Twenty-two patients (16 women and 6 men) with a mean(SD) age of 34.41 (12.75) years completed the 12-week therapyperiod. In comparison with the baseline, improvement in themean percentage of repigmentation was 7.10±10.15, 12.95±20.29,and 15.57±17.38 at week 4, 8 and 12 of therapy, respectively.A significant improvement was observed in repigmentationpercentages in the three time points (p
Shrouk Aladl; Abdel-Hady El-Gilany; Bothaina Ghanem; Hassan Fayed
Abstract
Background: Psoriasis and its acceptance adversely affect the patient’s quality of life. This study aims to measure quality of life of psoriatic patients, psoriasis disability index and acceptance of psoriasis as a disease and their associated factors as well as their interaction. Methods: A total ...
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Background: Psoriasis and its acceptance adversely affect the patient’s quality of life. This study aims to measure quality of life of psoriatic patients, psoriasis disability index and acceptance of psoriasis as a disease and their associated factors as well as their interaction. Methods: A total of 125 psoriatic patients were included in the study. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected. Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Psoriasis quality of life index (PQOL), Psoriasis Disability (PDI) and acceptance of psoriasis scale index (PAI) were measured using Arabic validated tools. Multivariate linear regression analysis was done to find out the independent predictors of the outcome variables. Results: The mean overall PQOL, PDI and PAI were 14.3, 20.8 and 60.1; respectively. Compared to the moderate/severe chronic plaque psoriasis, the mild chronic plaque shows significantly lower mean PQOL, lower mean PDI and higher mean PAI. There are positive moderate significant correlations between PQOL and PDI and PASI (r=0.59, r=0.54; respectively). However, there is inverse moderate significant correlation between PQOL and psoriasis acceptance index (r=-0.55). The linear regression revealed that the independent predictors of psoriasis quality of life are PDI, PASI and PAI. These three variables predict 0.42 of variability of PQOL. Conclusion: psoriasis exerts significant, negative effect on patients' quality of life. Disease disability, severity and its acceptance are independent predictors of quality of life.
Robabeh Abedini; Vahideh Lajevardi; Maryam Nasimi; Zahra Hallaji; Mahtab Darvish
Abstract
Background: The role of smoking and alcohol consumption in the pathogenesis of psoriasis is well-known; however, certain published studies have focused on the relationship between substance abuse and psoriasis. The present study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of tobacco ...
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Background: The role of smoking and alcohol consumption in the pathogenesis of psoriasis is well-known; however, certain published studies have focused on the relationship between substance abuse and psoriasis. The present study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of tobacco smoking, and substance and alcohol use in patients with psoriasis.Methods: Patients with a definite diagnosis of psoriasis at ages of 15 or more were recruited and general information of patients and their smoking behavior, alcohol consumption and substanceabuse were further collected.Results: 203 patients (103 men and 100 women) with psoriasis were included in this cross-sectional study. There were 76 smokers (37.45%) and 49 patients (24.1%) who consumed alcohol. Smoking, opium and alcohol consumption were significantly higher in men with psoriasis compared with women (P-values = 0.0001, 0.003, 0.002, respectively). Tranquilizer use was higher in married patients (P = 0.002), and those with joint involvements (P = 0.009). Hookah use was considerably high in female psoriatic patients, although not statistically significant (P = 0.37). Moreover, patients older than 40 years, and with nail disease (odds Ratio = 3.8) weremore prone to hookah use.
Conclusion: Our study revealed that the prevalence of smoking, opium and alcohol consumption is higher in men with psoriasis. Moreover, tranquilizer use is higher in married patients, and those with joint involvements. These findings should prompt public health workers to consider the modifiable habitual risk factors in patients with psoriasis.
Kashani Mansour Nassiri; Estarabadi Ali Rajabi; Zartab Hamed; Khoshpouri Parisa; Khoshpouri Pegah; Hosseini Hamed; Tavakoli Amir Hossein; Firooz Alireza
Volume 18, Issue 3 , 2015, , Pages 97-103
Abstract
Background: With aging, the facial folds, grooves, and sagging tissue become more prominent. It is haracterized by loss of the collagen mass in the dermis and an increased array of elastin whirls in the deeper dermis. The aim of this study was to determine whether correction of nasolabial folds could ...
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Background: With aging, the facial folds, grooves, and sagging tissue become more prominent. It is haracterized by loss of the collagen mass in the dermis and an increased array of elastin whirls in the deeper dermis. The aim of this study was to determine whether correction of nasolabial folds could be achieved using an allogeneic collagen product. Methods: Nine healthy volunteers participated in this beforeafter, pilot clinical trial. Human allogeneic collagen (Collagel, Kimia Teb Rahavard Co., Tehran, Iran) was injected in both nasolabial folds of the volunteers. Skin hydration was measured using the Corneometer® 580 device (CK GmbH, Cologne, Germany). Ultrasonic dermal changes were measured using an ultrasonography device (22 MHz, TPM, Germany) before and 24 weeks after the injection. One independent investigator assessed the efficacy using standardized photographs before and 24 weeks after injections. The patients’ satisfaction rate was also evaluated.Results: All patients showed improvement in wrinkles and the mean satisfaction rate on a 0-10 VAS was 7.4±0.5. The hydration of the stratum corneum increased from 32.32±13.54 to 52.61±12.55 and the echo-density of the dermis increased from 8.05±3.18 to 9.55±3.36 μm 24 weeks after the injection (P≤0.05). No treatmentrelated adverse events were reported.Conclusion: Collagel is an effective filler that can provide a safe and effective correction of the nasolabial folds. This correction lasts for at least 24 weeks on ultrasound evaluations. Further larger blind-randomized controlled clinical trials are required to pave the way for suggesting it as a possible therapeutic option.
Esmaili Nafiseh; Hallaji Zahra; Ehsani Amirhoushang; Tork Ali Naser; Robati RezaMahmood; Toosi Siavash; Zahrian Fatemeh; Maarefat Afsaneh
Volume 10, Issue 2 , 2007, , Pages 100-104
Abstract
Background and aim: Psoriasis is one of the most common inflammatory skin disorders with a genetic background. Several treatment modalities have been used, including systemic and bath PUVA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of systemic and bath PUVA in the treatment of psoriasis in Razi ...
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Background and aim: Psoriasis is one of the most common inflammatory skin disorders with a genetic background. Several treatment modalities have been used, including systemic and bath PUVA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of systemic and bath PUVA in the treatment of psoriasis in Razi Hospital.Materials and methods: This retrospective database study was done in Razi Hospital and the records of 390 psoriatic patients referred to phototherapy unit in 1999-2003 were studied. One hundred and forty nine patients were treated with systemic and 238 patients with bath PUVA.Results: The most common form of psoriasis was the plaque type and the majority of patients were male. Complete remission of disease was achieved in 20.1% of systemic PUVA and 17.2% of bath PUVA patients, usually after 20-29 sessions of phototherapy. The mean cumulative UVA dose for complete remission was 233.46 and 108.79 J/cm2 in systemic and bath PUVA groups, respectively. Relapse occurred in 33.3% and 17.07% of patients achieving complete remission in systemic and bath PUVA groups, respectively. Erythema was the most common side effect in both groups.Conclusion: Both systemic and bath PUVA are efficacious in the treatment of psoriasis. The total UVA dose needed for complete clearance was higher in systemic PUVA and relapse occurred more frequently in this group.
