[Comparison of thyroid function tests in alopecia totalis and universalis with control group]

Alopecia areata [AA] is a common cause of noncicatricial alopecia that occurs as a patchy, confluent or diffuse pattern. Exact etiologic factor of AA not yet recognized. Among many hypothesis, relationship between AA and autoimmune disease, especially thyroid disorders, was more interesting. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of thyroid test disorders in the patients with alopecia totalis and universalis in comparison with normal population. We analyzed medical records of 100 patients, including 44 male and 56 female in Tehran Razi Hospital from1388 to 1389. The mean age was 24.1 years. Patients having totalis and universalis form of AA considered as case group while 100 normal person [42 male and 58 female with mean age of 26.1] who had not any form of AA considered as control group. Both groups had not any sign of thyroid disease at clinical examination according to their available medical records. Collected data were analyzed statistically in SPSS software 17[th]version. In the majority of patients [54%] the disease was manifested in the first two decades of life. History of atopia was seen in9.8% of patient. Presence of the similar disease in first-degree family members was seen in14.3% of patients. Abnormal T3, T4 and TSH were significantly higher in case group. Abnormal T3 uptake was higher in case group but not statistically significant. Paraclinical thyroid disorders were significantly higher in the alopecia areata patients than in normal population. There was no significant association between the age, sex and duration of disease and presence thyroid dysfunction.

Cutaneous manifestations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is a chronic inflammatory joint disease with different extra-articular manifestations. Among those extra-articular manifestations, there are significant cutaneous manifestations which may result in first admission to a dermatologist. In this article some specific and non-specific skin lesions of RA such as rheumatoid nodules, exacerbated nodules, rheumatoid vasculitis, Bywaters, pyoderma gangrenosum and neutrophilic rheumatoid dermatoses are discussed. Some of these lesions such as rheumatoid nodules are very common and some others are very rare

Skin and diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is the most prevalent endocrine disease that is recognized by hyperglycemia due to a defect in insulin synthesis [type I], insulin function or both [type II].To review the common skin manifestations of diabetes we have performed an extensive search in the literature, with an emphasis on the recent articles. Skin manifestations of diabetes are presented in four main categories as follows: 1-manifestations due to diabetes such as necrobiosis lipoidica and diabetic dermopathy, 2-skin infections, 3-manifestations due to diabetes complications such as diabetic ulcer, and 4-skin reactions to diabetes treatment. Cutaneous manifestations occur in about two thirds of diabetic patients and may take place as a result of microvascular complications, wound healing defect and/or other unknown mechanisms. Generally, cutaneous manifestations in diabetes happen after the background of diabetic process has presented but sometimes they occur long time before the diagnosis of diabetes