Associations between skin diseases and quality of life: a comparison of psoriasis, vitiligo, and alopecia areata

The goal of this study was to compare depression and quality of life in three auto immune diseases: psoriasis, vitiligo, and alopecia areata. From January 2009 until January 2010, 300 patients [100 with alopecia areata, 100 with psoriasis and 100 with vitiligo] who were randomly selected [by simple random selection] from outpatient clinic of Razi Hospital [Center of Skin Diseases of Tehran University of Medical Sciences] were asked to answer to Beck Depression Inventory [BDI], SF-36 and Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI] questionnaires. DLQI scores were significantly higher in psoriasis cases than others [12.8 +/- 6.1, P<0.0001] and SF-36 score were significantly lower [59.8 +/- 19.5, P=0.007], both indicating poor quality of life. Significant correlation was found between DLQI and BDI in all disease groups [r=0.44, P<0.001]. BDI scores were the highest in psoriasis group but this difference was not significant [P=0.2]. Based on these results, dermatologists should consider psychological aspects of autoimmune skin diseases.

[Comparison of the frequency of antinuclear antibodies in patients with pemphigus vulgaris and a control group]

Pemphigus vulgaris [PV] is an autoimmune blistering disease which is specific for skin and mucosal membranes. Its association with connective tissue diseases has already been reported. Considering this association, presence of Anti Nuclear Antibodies [ANAs] in PV patients will not be surprising. The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of ANA positive cases in patients suffering PV with a control group. In this case-control study, the cases were selected from the patients with PV whom were hospitalized at Razi Hospital, Tehran. The controls were chosen from patients who did not have PV. The data were collected using a questionnaire, which was designed for gathering information on participants' age, sex, PV phenotypes, and the result of ANA test. ANA positivity was assessed using indirect immunofluorescence, HEP2. In 8 [26.7%] of 30 PV patients and 3 [10.0%] of 30 controls ANA was positive [P=0.095]. The most common ANA positive patterns among cases and controls were homogeneous and speckled patterns, respectively [P=0.26]. Although in this study the frequency of positive ANA result among controls was similar to what were reported in previous studies, the frequency of this finding among PV patients was different from the previous reports. Differences in the sensitivity of the laboratory kits used in different studies as well as in the threshold for ANA positivity, and differences in the patients' eligibility criteria in different studies may explain the observed discrepancies. Clinical follow up of the PV and requesting an ANA test in the case of appearance of the signs of connective tissue diseases is recommended

Tinea faciei: a report of 22 cases referred to Razi Skin Hospital in 2004

Tinea faciei is an uncommon fungal infection, which infects glabrous skin of the face. All species of dermatophytes can produce this disease. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of various dermatophyte species that produce tinea faciei and frequency of correct primary diagnosis in this disease in patients referred to Razi Hospital in Tehran. Materials and In this cross-sectional study, 22 patients with tinea faciei referred to Razi Hospital from April 2004 to March 2005 were evaluated considering species of dermatophyte and the accuracy of primary diagnosis. The most common species was Trichophyton tonsurans that was the causative agent in 10 patients. Fifteen patients had been admitted in other centers before coming to Razi Hospital and in 86% of them tinea faciei had been misdiagnosed. Clinical presentation of tinea faciei may be atypical in many cases and can lead to incorrect diagnosis. Therefore tinea faciei should be considered as a differential diagnosis in any localized erythematous lesion on the face

[Frequency of hirsutism in medical students in Tehran]

Hirsutism is a common clinical problem among women; however estimates regarding its prevalence in our population are limited. The objective of this study was to estimate the frequency and features of hirsutism in yound women in Iran. This descriptive-cross sectional study was performed on 800 female [18-25 years] medical students of Tehran medical universities in 1999. Evaluation included a history and a modified Ferriman-Gallwey hirsutism score in four different androgen-sensitive skin areas. The volunteers recorded their weight and height, the presence of menstural dysfuncion, acne, positive family history for hirsutism, as well as ingestion of oral contraceptive pills, corticosteroids or anabolic steroids using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using chi-square test and P<0.05 was considered significant. The frequency of hirsutism in our population was 22.8% [183 of 800]. 17.3%, 5.1% and 0.3% of the population studied had mild, moderate and severe hirsutism, respectively. The prevalence of obesity [body mass index > 25], acne, positive family history for hirsutism, menstrual dysfunction, and consumption of corticosteroid and OCP was significantly higher in hirsutes. Hirsutism is a very common abnormality in this group of woman in Iran. Higher hirsutism frequency in this survey comparing to previous records in other population shows that the hirsutism definition and scoring system should be modified due to racial/ethnic variations in terminal hair quantity and distributions and different concept of this abnormality in each population