Prevalence of skin diseases in rural areas of Lahj Governorate in South Yemen

Skin diseases are a major source of morbidity, loss of income and social exclusion in developing countries particularly rural areas. Epidemiological studies of skin diseases from Yemen are limited, so it is a pressing necessity to conduct such a study in South Yemen. To determine the prevalence of various skin diseases in rural areas of south Yemen. A cross-sectional community - based survey was followed. The survey included 4021 rural inhabitants of all ages and both sexes from Lahj governorate [South Yemen] the data were collected through personal interview at homes from January -December 2007. They showed that 2304 [57.30%] of the studied population had one or morc disease. Pigmentray disorders had rate or 14.62% among the total sample, acne vulgaris, 9.00%, hair and scalp disorders 7.54% and naevoids disorders 7.14%. Of infective-parasitic dermatoses, bacterial infections were the predominant group with prevalence rate [3.56%], followed parasitic infestations [3.28%].Non infective dermatoses are common problem in rural areas of South Yemen. Geographical and socioeconomic factors may play a role in prevalence of some skin diseases

study of sexual and reproductive dysfunctions in juvenile onset diabetic men

Diabetes affects an increasingly large number of young men of reproductive age To determine fertility status and to evaluate semen parameters and sexual dysfunction in men having juvenile onset diabetes comparing them to fertile controls. 73 male patients having juvenile onset diabetes mellitus. The study included clinical evaluation, erectile capacity scoring with IIEF-5 score, urine analysis after masturbation, conventional semen analysis and sperm hypoosmotic swelling test of 73 diabetic men and 33 fertile controls. Comparison between diabetic patients and fertile controls in conventional sperm parameters and hypoosmotic sperm swelling percentage [HOS%]. Additionally, assessment of prevalence of infertility, erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction in diabetic patients. There was a significant decrease in percentage of normal sperm morphology among diabetic patients [41.37 +/- 12. 38] than controls [57.27 +/- 8.11] [P < 0.001]. Percentage of progressive sperm motility was significantly lower in diabetic patients [33.42 +/- 13.38] than controls [54.84 +/- 5.92] [P < 0.001]. There was a significant decrease in sperm HOS% among diabetic patients [62.55 +/- 11.69] in comparison to controls [77.36 +/- 8.23] [P < 0.001]. There was no significant difference in sperm concentration [in million sperm/ml] between diabetic patients [69.75 +/- 62.11] and controls [74.55 +/- 50.78]. Similar results were obtained on comparing between fertile and infertile diabetics. Prevalence of infertility was 40%, erectile dysfunction [ED] was 75%, premature ejaculation was 31% and partial retrograde ejaculation was 5%. Diabetic patients had significantly lower normal sperm morphology, progressive sperm motility and hypoosmotic sperm swelling percentages. They had higher round cell number. They also had increased prevalence of infertility, erectile and ejaculatory dysfunctions

Oxidative stress and interleukin-1 beta in serum and skin lesions of patients with generalized vitligo

The etiology of vitiligo is unknown. Increased oxidant stress may explain melanocyte dysfunction and destruction. Increases in pro-oxidants as well as decreases in anti-oxidant agents have been reported in patients with vitiligo. In this study we investigated the role of oxidative stress by determining the levels of the free radical nitric oxide [NO] and the antioxidant systems: superoxide dismutase [SOD], and L-ascorbic acid in addition to interleukin-1beta [IL-1beta] in both serum and tissue of lesional skin in patients with generalized vitiligo. Levels of NO and IL-1beta were significantly higher in the serum and tissue of lesional skin of patient with generalized vitiligo compared to the control group. While L-ascorbic acid and superoxide dismutase levels were significantly reduced in patients compared to controls. Extent of vitiligo showed a significant positive correlation with tissue levels of IL-1beta. Oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of generalized vitiligo with increased production of NO and decreased SOD activity and ascorbic acid levels. IL-1beta could have a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo possibly through the induction of NO production

Tissue levels of Interleukin-1 Beta are positively correlated with nitric oxide in patients with Generalized Vitiligo

Recent studies indicated that interleukin-1 beta [IL-1beta] enhance the activity of nitric oxide [NO] synthase resulting in release of excess amounts of NO. The later has been implicated in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. The objective of this study was to determine the correlations between levels of IL-1beta and NO in both tissues and sera from patients with generalized vitiligo. Our study included 30 patients with generalized vitiligo and 15 normal controls. Tissue and serum levels of IL-1 beta and NO were measured using enzyme immunoassay and a spectrophotometer, respectively. Tissue and serum levels of NO were significantly higher in patients with generalized vitiligo than controls [0.58 +/- 0.19 vs 0.41 +/- 0.17 and 58.05 +/- 12.19 vs 28.82 +/- 3.98; p <0.01 and p <0.001; respectively]. Tissue and serum levels of IL-1 beta in patients with generalized vitiligo were significantly higher than controls [4.86 +/- 1.94 vs 2.18 +/- 0.71 and 22.09 +/- 2.64 vs 15.34 +/- 3.55; p <0.001 and p<0.001; respectively]. A significant positive correlation was found between tissue levels of NO and IL-1 beta [r = 0.82, p <0.001]. Tissue levels of IL-1 beta were significantly correlated with extent of vitiligo [r = 0.57, p <0.01]. Patients with generalized vitiligo had significantly increased tissue and serum levels of NO and IL-1 beta. Tissue levels of IL-1 beta were positively correlated with tissue levels of NO, and extent of vitiligo