Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in pemphigus vulgaris: a single-center experience

Background:

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV), an autoimmune disorder characterized by blistering skin/mucus membrane lesions, is mediated by desmoglein-3 autoantibodies. We carried out a prospective clinical trial of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in thymus, bone marrow (BM) and periphery to reconstitute central and peripheral arms of self-tolerance.

Materials and Methods:

Eleven (M:F=5:6) patients with mean age 33.5 years and mean duration of disease 22.8 months, having painful pruritic blisters and ulcers resistant to corticosteroids, were treated with cytokine-stimulated allogeneic HSCT (mean dose: 21.8 × 10⁸ cells/kg BW) from blood group-matched related donors. BM with mean CD34+ count 1.1% was inoculated into thymus, marrow and periphery, followed by two peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) infusions.

Results:

Recovery began within 24 hours of HSCT and new lesions stopped after 6 months. No graft versus host disease (GvHD)/adverse effect was observed in any patient/donor. Over a mean follow-up of 8.02 years, all patients were well without recurrence/new lesions.

Conclusion:

Drug-resistant PV can be successfully and safely treated by allogeneic HSCT.     

Leiomyoma cutis: a clinicopathological series of 37 cases

Background:

Cutaneous leiomyomas are benign smooth muscle tumors that comprise three distinct types such as piloleimyoma, angioleiomyoma, and genital leiomyoma.

Aim:

The objective of this study was to report a series of cases seen in last 8 years in a tertiary care hospital in north India and to discuss their clinicopathologic findings.

Material and Methods:

Paraffin-embedded blocks of cases reported as cutaneous leiomyoma from 1999 to 2007 were retrieved from the Institute of Pathology, New Delhi, and their clinical parameters were noted. Their histopathological features were reviewed on hematoxylin-eosin stained slides. Immunohistochemistry was performed where necessary.

Results:

Twenty-seven cases of piloleiomyoma, three cases of angioleiomyoma, five breast leiomyomas, and two scrotal leiomyomas were seen in patients ranging from 21 to 65 years of age, with an average of 38.2 years at presentation. There was a male predominance with 26 males and 11 females (M:F = 2.2:1). Solitary lesions (n = 21) were more common than multiple ( n = 16). The trunk and upper limbs were involved most commonly, comprising 23 of 37 (62.2%) cases. This was followed by lower limb, face, breast, and scrotum.

Conclusion:

Cutaneous leiomyomas are rare lesions and form an important clinical differential diagnosis of painful papulonodules. These must be biopsied in order to differentiate them from other spindle cell lesions.     

Decreased effect of glucantime in cutaneous leishmaniasis complicated with secondary bacterial infection

Background:

Glucantime is regarded as the first-line treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL); however, failure to treatment is a problem in many cases.

Aim:

The aim was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of glucantime in CL complicated with secondary bacterial infection compared to uncomplicated lesions.

Methods:

This experimental study was performed in Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan, Iran. A total of 161 patients enrolled in the study had CL confirmed by positive smear of lesions. All the patients were treated with systemic glucantime for 3 weeks and followed for 2 months. Response to treatment was defined as loss of infiltration, reepithelization, and negative smear. Depending on the results of bacterial cultures, the lesions were divided into two groups and the efficacy of glucantime was compared.

Results:

A total of 123 patients (76.4%) were negative, and 38 patients (23.6%) were positive for secondary bacterial infection. In groups with negative bacterial culture response to treatment was 65% (80 patients) and in the other positive group, it was 31.6% (12 patients), with a difference (χ² = 13.77, P < 0.01).

Conclusion:

Therapeutic effect of glucantime showed a decrease in CL lesions with secondary bacterial infection. Therefore, in the cases of unresponsiveness to treatment, the lesions should be evaluated for bacterial infection, before repeating the treatment.     

ISOLATION OF BACTERIA CAUSING SECONDARY BACTERIAL INFECTION IN THE LESIONS OF CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS

Background:

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease characterized by single or multiple ulcerations. Secondary bacterial infection is one of the complications of the disease that can increase the tissue destruction and the resulting scar.

Objective:

To effectively determine the incidence of real secondary bacteria infection in cutaneous leishmaniasis, we designed the current study.

Methods and Materials:

This was a cross-sectional study performed in Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Centre, Isfahan, Iran. In this study, 854 patients with confirmed CL were enrolled. Samples were taken from all the patients. Sterile swaps were achieved for the ulcer exudates and scraping was used for nonulcerated lesions. All the samples were transferred to tryptic soy broth medium. After 24 h of incubation in 37°C, they were transferred to eosin methylene blue agar (EBM) and blood agar. Laboratory tests were used to determine the species of bacteria. All of the collected data were analyzed by SPSS software and chi-square.

Results:

Among 854 patients with confirmed cutaneous leishmaniasis, 177 patients (20.7%) had positive cultures for secondary bacterial infection. Bacteria isolated from the lesions were as follows: Staphylococcus aureus - 123 cases (69.4%), coagulase negative Staphylococcus - 41 cases (23.1%), E. coil - 7 cases (3.9%), Proteus - 3 cases (1.7%) and Klebsiella - 3 cases (1.7%).

Conclusions:

The incidence of secondary bacterial infection in lesions of CL was 20.7%. The most common isolated pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus. The incidence of secondary bacterial infection was significantly more in the ulcerated lesions as compared with nonulcerated lesions (P = 0.00001).     

Role of In Vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy in Determining Stability in Vitiligo: A Preliminary Study

Background:

Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) reproducible imaging technique has already been reported to be useful in the diagnosis of other skin diseases.

Objective:

To define RCM features of vitiligo on different clinical stages.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 125 patients with a clinical diagnosis of vitiligo were included in this study. After informed consent, lesional skins of those vitiligo patients were characterized by using RCM. Five patients with inflammatory cell infiltration observed at the edge of skin lesions and another 5 patients without inflammatory cell infiltration were selected. Biopsies were performed at same sites of the RCM examination areas for histological and immune-histological analysis.

Results:

In the active stage of vitiligo, the RCM examination revealed that the bright dermal papillary rings presented at the dermoepidermal junction level in normal skin lost their integrity or totally disappeared, border between vitiligo lesion and normal skin became unclear, and highly refractile cells that referred to infiltrated inflammatory cells could be seen within the papillary dermis at the edge of the lesions. In the stable stage of vitiligo, the RCM showed a complete loss of melanin in lesional skin and a clear border between lesional and normal skin.

Conclusion:

A simple clinical examination with RCM may reliably and efficiently allow evaluation of the stability status of vitiligo lesions.     

Dermoscopy to Detect Signs of Subclinical Nail Involvement in Chronic Plaque Psoriasis: A Study of 68 Patients

Background:

Onychopathies constitute one of the major challenges faced by a dermatologist in terms of its early detection and diagnosis. Utility of dermoscope as a tool for detection is increasing by the day and its use in onychopathies needs to be explored.

Aims:

To study the dermoscopic features of nails in patients of chronic plaque psoriasis.

Materials and Methods:

In a cross-sectional study, a total of 68 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were recruited. Dermoscopy of nail plate was conducted and were compared with equal number of age and sex matched healthy volunteers.

Results:

Forty-six patients showed dermoscopic findings. Twenty-two patients did not show any dermoscopic findings. Coarse pits (18/46, P < 0.0001), onycholysis (10/46, P < 0.001), oil drop sign (2/46, P = 0.12) and splinter hemorrhages (5/46, P = 0.05) were seen. In addition certain findings of interest were stout, globose, dilated, pink- to red-colored nail bed vessels arranged longitudinally at the onychodermal band surrounded by a prominent halo (9/46, P = 0.01). In contrast, splinter hemorrhages appeared as streaks and were purple in color.

Conclusion:

In a psoriasis patient, dermoscope can be a useful tool to detect early nail involvement in psoriasis and aid in differentiating it from other disorders of nails.     

Comparison of intralesional two percent zinc sulfate and glucantime injection in treatment of acute cutaneous leishmaniasis

Introduction:

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is an endemic disease in developing countries caused by different species of leishmania parasite, and if left untreated, it will result in a deformed scar after a relatively long period. Although various systemic and topical treatments have been proposed for leishmaniasis, pentavalent Antimony compounds remain the first-line treatment for it. Considering the cases with treatment failure, potential side effects and reluctance of patients to receive the drug, there are continuing efforts to find better treatment alternatives.

Aim:

Comparison of the effect of intralesional 2% zinc sulfate injection with Glucantime in treatment of acute cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Materials and Methods:

In this clinical trial, 45 patients with clinical diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis and positive direct smear for leishman body were treated by intralesional injection of either 2% zinc sulfate or Glucantime. After simple randomization, in one group the patients were treated with 2 bouts of intralesional 2% zinc sulfate with a 2-week interval, and in the other group they were treated with 6 weekly bouts of intralesional Glucantime. The patients were monitored in two week intervals for 8 weeks. Healing of the lesions was evaluated clinically and by direct smear, and the data were analyzed using SPSS (11.5) software, t-Student, Mann-Whitney and Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) statistical tests.

Findings:

In the end of study, 34 patients completed the study, 10 of whom received intralesional Glucantime and 24 of whom received intralesional 2% zinc sulfate. The healing rate after 8 weeks was 80% in the group receiving intralesional Glucantime and 33.3% in the one receiving 2% zinc sulfate (P=0.009).

Conclusion:

Based on the results of this study, intralesional injection of 2% zinc sulfate was less effective in treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis than intralesional Glucantime.     

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome In South Indian Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris and the Relation Between Disease Severity and Metabolic Syndrome: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study

Background:

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin and joints with an increased cardiovascular risk. Previous studies have shown a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in psoriatic patients.

Objective:

To investigate the prevalence of MS in patients with psoriasis and healthy controls, and to determine the relation between disease severity and the presence of MS.

Materials and Methods:

We performed a hospital-based case-control study on 118 adult patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 120 controls matched for age, sex and body mass index. MS was diagnosed by the presence of three or more of the South Asian Modified National Cholesterol Education Program''s Adult Panel III criteria.

Results:

MS was significantly more common in psoriatic patients than in controls (44.1% vs. 30%, P value = 0.025). Psoriatic patients also had a higher prevalence of triglyceridemia (33.9% vs. 20.8%, P value = 0.011), abdominal obesity (34.7% vs. 32.5%, P value = 0.035) and elevated blood sugar. There was no difference in the high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and presence of hypertension among patients with psoriasis and normal controls. There was no correlation between the severity and duration of psoriasis with MS.

Conclusion:

MS is frequent in patients with psoriasis. We have found no relationship between disease severity and presence of MS. Hence, we suggest that all patients must be evaluated for the MS, irrespective of the disease severity.     

Dose Related Efficacy of Gabapentin in Acute Herpetic Neuralgia Among Geriatric Patients

Background:

Herpes zoster is an intractable painful condition, more severe in elderly patients. The pain during the first 30 days of onset is known as Acute Herpetic Neuralgia. Multiple treatments using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and tricyclic anti-depressants are available, but their side effects limit their use in geriatric patients. Gabapentin is also used in chronic neuropathic pain; however, its role in acute herpetic neuralgia is less explored.

Aim:

This study was aimed to determine dose related efficacy and safety of gabapentin in reducing pain of acute herpetic neuralgia in geriatric patients.

Materials and Methods:

In this placebo-controlled, four-week trial including 56 subjects, 42 patients received gabapentin in the dosage of 300 mg (n=15), 600 mg (n=14), and 900 mg(n=13) per day in divided doses and 14 patients received placebo within 72 hours of onset of herpes zoster.

Results:

Subjects receiving gabapentin had a statistically significant reduction (P<0.0001) in visual analog scale (VAS) score as compared to placebo, emphasizing the efficacy of gabapentin in the treatment of acute pain associated with herpes zoster on each assessment (weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4). Gabapentin in doses of 600 mg/day and 900 mg/day was better than 300 mg/day in each visit. However, no difference was observed between gabapentin 600 mg/day and 900 mg/day group at any point of time (P>0.05).

Conclusion:

The results of this study show that gabapentin is effective in acute herpetic neuralgia in different doses with 600 mg/day being the more appropriate dose in terms of safety and efficacy.     

Decrease in “Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression” Following Isotretinoin Therapy in Acne: An Open-Label Prospective Study

Background:

Acne is a common disorder among adolescents and young adults causing a considerable psychological impact including anxiety and depression. Isotretinoin, a synthetic oral retinoid is very effective in the treatment of moderate to severe acne. But there have been many reports linking isotretinoin to depression and suicide though no clear proof of association has been established so far.

Objective:

To determine whether oral isotretinoin increases the risk of depression in patients with moderate to severe acne.

Materials and Methods:

One hundred and fifty patients with moderate to severe acne were treated with oral isotretinoin 0.5 mg/kg/day for a period of 3 months. Their acne and depression scoring was done at baseline and then every month for the first 3 months and then at 6 months.

Results:

We found that the acne scoring reduced from 3.11 ± 0.49 to 0.65 ± 0.62 (P = < 0.001) at the end of 3 months. Also, the depression scoring decreased significantly from 3.89 ± 4.9 at the beginning of study to 0.45 ± 1.12 (P < 0.001) at the end of 3 months. Both the acne and depression scores continued to remain low at the end of 6 months at 0.5 ± 0.52 (P = < 0.001) and 0.18 ± 0.51 (P = < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions:

Our study proves that oral isotretinoin causes significant clearance of acne lesions. It causes significant reduction in depression scores and is not associated with an increased incidence of depression or suicidal tendencies.     

Evaluation of Apoptosis in Skin Biopsies of Patients of Borderline Leprosy and Lepra Type 1 Reaction

Background:

The role of apoptosis is not clear in leprosy and lepra reactions.

Objectives:

To evaluate frequency of apoptosis in skin lesions of borderline leprosy and Type 1 lepra reaction.

Methods:

Sixty patients with borderline leprosy (30 with clinically diagnosed Type 1 reaction (T1R) (Group I) and 30 without clinical evidence of reaction (Group II)) were analyzed in this prospective study. Apoptosis was detected by two different methods for comparison, that is, histopathologic examination (HPE) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation and electrophoresis. Quantification of apoptotic bodies/10 high power fields (HPF) was also done.

Results:

Out of 30 cases, apoptosis was detected in 29 cases in Group I and 24 cases in Group II by HPE (P = 0.103), whereas, with the use of DNA electrophoresis it was detected in 24 cases in Group I and 18 cases in Group II (P = 0.091). On quantitative estimation it was found that number of apoptotic bodies are higher in Group I in comparison to Group II (2.77 vs 1.99), which is statistically significant.

Conclusions:

There was moderate agreement (κ = 0.47) between the two methods of apoptosis detection. Apoptosis was seen more in patients with T1R both qualitatively (statistically nonsignificant) and quantitatively (statistically significant). Clinical significance of this novel finding is that apoptosis can be used as one of the variables for diagnosis of T1R to increase detection rate.     

Clinico-Mycological Study of Dermatophyte Toenail Onychomycosis in New Delhi,India

Introduction:

There is a constant need to define the epidemiological and mycological characteristics of onychomycosis (OM) for optimal management strategies.

Objectives:

To define the epidemiological and mycological characteristics of patients with dermatophyte toenail OM in a tertiary care hospital.

Materials and Methods:

Hundred consecutive patients of KOH and culture-positive dermatophyte toenail OM were subjected to detailed history, clinical examination and investigations.

Results:

Maximum number of patients (40%) belonged to 31-45 years age group and there was a male preponderance (M:F = 6.7:1). The mean duration of disease was 54 months. Thirty-three patients had fingernail involvement in addition to the toenail OM and 37% had co-existent cutaneous dermatophyte infection. Discoloration was the most common symptom (98%). Ninety-four (94%) patients had distal lateral subungual onychomycosis (DSLO) while two had superficial onychomycosis (SO) and only one had proximal superficial onychomycosis (PSO). Trichophyton interdigitale was the most common etiological agent (61%) followed by Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton verrucosum.

Conclusions:

Toenail OM is more common in males. DSLO was the most common clinical variant and T. interdigitale the most common etiological fungus responsible for toenail OM in our region. The importance of early diagnosis and treatment is highlighted as long-standing toenail OM predisposes to fingernail onychomycosis and recurrent tinea pedis.     

The Relationship Between Alopecia Areata and Alexithymia,Anxiety and Depression: A Case-Control Study

Background:

Alopecia areata (AA) is a skin disease characterized by the sudden appearance of areas of hair loss on the scalp and other hair-bearing areas, but its aesthetic repercussions can lead to profound changes in patient''s psychological status and relationships.

Aim:

The goal was to investigate a possible relationship between AA and alexithymia as well as two other emotional dimensions, anxiety and depression.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty patients with AA seen in the Department of Dermatology of Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax were included in this study. Anxiety and depression were evaluated by Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale questionnaire, alexithymia was assessed by Toronto Alexithymia scale 20, and severity of AA was measured by Severity of Alopecia Tool.

Results:

Patient''s mean age was 32.92 years. 52% of patients were females. Depression and anxiety were detected respectively in 38% and 62% of patients. There was statistically significant difference between patients and control group in terms of depression (P = 0.047) and anxiety (P = 0.005). Forty-two percent of patients scored positive for alexithymia. No significant difference was found between patient and control groups (P = 0.683) in terms of alexithymia. Anxiety was responsible for 14.7% of variation in alexithymia (P = 0.047).

Conclusions:

Our study shows a high prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in AA patients. Dermatologists should be aware of the psychological impact of AA, especially as current treatments have limited effectiveness.     

Acetylation phenotype variation in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis

Background:

Few studies have been done on the relation between acetylator status and allergic diseases.

Aim:

To determine any possible association between acetylating phenotype in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and the disease prognosis.

Patients and Methods:

Thirty-six pediatric patients and forty two healthy children as a control group were participated in the study. All participants received a single oral dose of dapsone of 1.54 mg/kg body weight, after an overnight fast. Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), plasma concentrations of dapsone and its metabolite (monoacetyldapsone) were estimated to phenotype the participants as slow and rapid acetylators according to their acetylation ratio (ratio of monoacetyldapsone to dapsone).

Results:

72.2% of pediatric patients with AD showed slow acetylating status as compared to 69.4% of control individuals. Also, 73% of AD patients with slow acetylating phenotype had familial history of allergy. The severity of AD occurred only in slow acetylator patients. The eczematous lesions in slow acetylators presented mainly in the limbs, while in rapid acetylators, they were found mostly in face and neck.

Conclusion:

This study shows an association between the N-acetylation phenotype variation and clinical aspects of AD.     

Expression of apoptosis regulatory markers in the skin of advanced hepatitis-C virus liver patients

Background:

Hepatitis-C virus (HCV) infection is considered a major worldwide public health problem with a global prevalence. Maintenance of skin homeostasis requires a delicate balance between proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Meanwhile, it is unclear if there is an altered keratinocyte proliferation/apoptosis balance in advanced liver disease with HCV infection.

Aim:

This work aimed to evaluate the epidermal thickness and changes in the expression of apoptosis regulatory markers as well as apoptotic index in skin samples of advanced HCV liver patients compared to normal controls.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty biopsies were taken from apparently normal skin of advanced HCV liver disease patients, as well as five healthy control subjects. These specimens were used for histometric epidermal measurement, immunohistochemical staining of apoptosis regulatory proteins (Bax, Fas, p53, Caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL) as well as the TUNEL technique for detection of apoptotic cells.

Results:

The mean epidermal thickness was significantly lower than the control group (P=0.000). There were significant overexpression of pro-apoptotic markers (Bax, Fas, P53, and Caspase-3) in patients (P=0.03, 0.03, 0.003, 0.003 respectively), with increased apoptotic index in HCV liver patients (P=0.002) when compared to normal controls. On the other hand, no statistically significant difference were encountered in the expression of antiapoptotic markers (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL) in HCV patients when compared to normal controls (P=0.5, 0.9, respectively).

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that an alteration in the proliferation/apoptosis balance is present in the skin of HCV liver patients.     

Efficacy and safety of long-pulse pulsed dye laser delivered with compression versus cryotherapy for treatment of solar lentigines

Background:

Although cryotherapy is still the first-line therapy for solar lentigines, because of the side effects such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), especially in patients with darker skin types, pigment-specific lasers should be considered as a therapy for initial treatment.

Aim:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cryotherapy compared with 595-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) with cutaneous compression in the treatment of solar lentigines.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty-two patients (skin type II–IV) with facial or hand lentigines participated in this study. Lesions of one side of the face or each hand were randomly assigned and treated with either cryotherapy or PDL. Treatments were performed with radiant exposures of 10 J/cm² , 7-mm spot size and 1.5 ms pulse duration with no epidermal cooling. Photographs were taken before treatment and 1-month later. The response rate and side effects were compared.

Results:

PDL was more likely to produce substantial lightening of the solar lentigines than cryotherapy, especially in skin type III and IV (n = 8, n = 9; P < 0.05), but might be no difference in type II (n = 5; P > 0.05). PIH was seen only in cryotherapy group. PDL group had only minimal erythema. No purpura was observed.

Conclusion:

PDL with compression is superior to cryotherapy in the treatment of solar lentigines in darker skin types.     

Apoptosis and Clinical Severity in Patients with Psoriasis and HCV Infection

Background:

It has been proposed that hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigens are involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and may contribute to severity of the disease. Increased expression of the apoptosis-regulating proteins p53 and tTG and decreased levels of bcl-2 in the keratinocytes of the skin of psoriatic patients have been reported.

Aim:

This study aims to identify the serum levels of apoptosis-regulating proteins in patients with psoriasis and without HCV infection and to study the relation between clinical severity of psoriasis and the presence of HCV infection.

Materials and Methods:

Disease severity was assessed by psoriasis area severity index score (PASI) of 90 patients with psoriasis grouped as mild (n = 30), moderate (n = 30) and severe (n = 30); 20 healthy individuals were used as controls. All groups were subjected for complete history taking, clinical examination, and tests for liver function and HCV infection. The serum levels of apoptosis related proteins: p53, tTG and bcl-2 were estimated by enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA).

Results:

There was a statistically significant (P < 0.001) correlation between clinical severity of psoriasis and presence of HCV antibodies and HCV-mRNA. In addition, significantly (P < 0.001) raised serum p53 and tTG, and reduced bcl-2 were observed among HCV-positive patients as compared to HCV-negative patients and control patients.

Conclusion:

These results conclude that clinical severity of psoriasis is affected by the presence of HCV antibodies and overexpression of apoptotic related proteins. In addition, altered serum levels of apoptosis-regulating proteins could be useful prognostic markers and therapeutic targets of psoriatic disease.     

Cutaneous manifestations of internal malignancy

Background:

Many malignancies affecting the internal organs display cutaneous manifestations which may be either specific (tumor metastases) or nonspecific lesions.

Aims:

The study is aimed at determining the frequency and significance of cutaneous manifestations among patients with internal malignancy.

Materials and Methods:

750 cases of proven internal malignancy, who attended a cancer chemotherapy center in South India, were studied. Specific infiltrates were confirmed by histopathology, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and marker studies.

Results:

Out of the 750 patients with internal malignancy, skin changes were seen in a total of 52 (6.93%) patients.

Conclusion:

Cutaneous metastases (specific lesions) were seen in 20 patients (2.66%): contiguous in 6 (0.8%), and non-contiguous in 14 (1.86%). Nonspecific skin changes were seen in 32 patients (4.26%). None of our patients presented with more than one type of skin lesions. Herpes zoster was the most common nonspecific lesion noticed in our patients, followed by generalized pruritus, multiple eruptive seborrheic keratoses, bullous disorder, erythroderma, flushing, purpura, pyoderma gangrenosum, insect bite allergy and lichenoid dermatitis.     

Severity of Psoriasis Among Adult Males is Associated with Smoking,Not with Alcohol Use

Context:

Lifestyle factors such as tobacco smoking and alcohol use can affect the presentation and course of psoriasis. There is a paucity of data on this subject from India.

Aims:

To find out whether increased severity of psoriasis in adult Indian males is associated with tobacco smoking and alcohol use.

Settings and Design:

Cross-sectional study in the Department of Dermatology of a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital.

Subjects and Methods:

Male patients above 18 years of age attending a psoriasis clinic between March 2007 and May 2009 were studied. Severity of psoriasis (measured using Psoriasis Area and Severity Index – PASI) among smokers and non-smokers was compared. We also studied the correlation between severity of psoriasis and nicotine dependence (measured using Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence) and alcohol use disorders (measured using Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–AUDIT).

Statistical Analysis:

Z-test, Odd''s ratio, Chi-square test, Spearman''s correlation coefficient.

Results:

Of a total of 338 patients, 148 were smokers and 173 used to consume alcohol. Mean PASI score of smokers was more than that of non-smokers (Z-test, z = −2.617, P = 0.009). Those with severe psoriasis were more likely to be smokers (χ² = 5.47, P = 0.02, OR = 1.8, Confidence Interval 1.09-2.962). There was a significant correlation between PASI scores and Fagerström score (Spearman''s correlation coefficient = 0.164, P < 0.01). Mean PASI scores of persons who used to consume alcohol and those who did not were comparable.(Z-test, z = −0.458, P = 0.647). There was no association between severity of psoriasis and alcohol consumption.(χ² = 0.255, P = 0.613, Odds Ratio = 1.14, CI 0.696-1.866). There was no correlation between PASI scores and AUDIT scores (Spearman''s correlation coefficient = 0.024, P > 0.05).

Conclusions:

Increased severity of psoriasis among adult males is associated with tobacco smoking, but not with alcohol use.