ABSTRACT
Objectives: To compare the treatment efficacy and safety of methotrexate with acitretin in chronic plaque psoriasis
Methodology: A total of 142 patients were enrolled, 71 patients in each group. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, A and B by lottery method. They were given methotrexate [25 mg injection deep I/M once weekly] or acitretin [0.4mg/kg orally daily]. At the end of 24 weeks, response to treatment was evaluated in terms of reduction in PASI score. Safety of treatment was accessed in terms of laboratory investigations i.e. transaminase, triglycerides, platelets and white blood cells during treatment
Results: In methotrexate group, an excellent response [PASI-75%] was noted in 38 [53.5%], good response [PASI-50%] in 13 [18.3%], fair response [less than 50% reduction in PASI] in 4 [5.6%], and no response was observed in 1[1.4%] patients. In acitretin treated group excellent response was noted in 18 [25.3%], good response in 27 [38.0%], fair response in 8 [11.2%], and no response was observed in 5 [7.04%] of patients
Conclusion: Methotrexate is better option for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis than acitretin
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to determine the pattern of cutaneous malignancies among patients attending the skin out-patient department Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar. This was descriptive analysis of skin cancers carried from January 2011 to December 2011. Histologically diagnosed skin cancers were reviewed and analyzed according to age, gender, site of distribution and histological types. Hundred histologically diagnosed skin malignancies were reported during the period under review. Sixty cases [60%] were males and 40 cases [40%] females with a male to female ratio of 1.5:1. Age ranged from 22 years to 86 years. Mean age was 57.05 +/- 11.39 SD. Mean duration of disease in months were 16.78 +/- 9.07SD. Basal cell carcinoma [BCC] was the most common malignancy consisting of 32[32%] cases followed by Squamous cell carcinoma [SCC 18%] with 10 [10%] cases of melanoma and 9[9%] cases of Mycosis Fungoides. Actinic Keratosis, Kaposi's sarcoma, Bowen's disease, Dermatofibroma, Atypical fibroxanthoma constituted the remaining. The most common skin malignancy was BCC followed by SCC and melanoma. Larger studies should be conducted to ascertain the actual prevalence of skin tumors
ABSTRACT
To determine the effectiveness and safety of narrow band ultraviolet B in chronic plaque Psoriasis. This descriptive case series study was carried out at skin unit Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from June 2009 to Dec 2010. Sixty patients suffering from chronic plaque psoriasis, between the ages of 12 and 70 years were included in the study. Minimum erythema dose was determined in every patient according to skin types [1-6]. All the patients were exposed to narrow band ultraviolet B. At zero, fourth, eighth weeks and sixteen weeks, Psoriasis Area Severity Index [PASI] was determined and decision was made to increase or decrease the dose according to response of patient. Out of sixty patients fifty eight patients showed response showing effectiveness of 97.1%. Two patients showed poor response. Four patients suffered from moderate erythema itching and vesicles. Narrowband ultraviolet B is a safe and effective therapy for chronic plaque psoriasis but long term follow up is needed to determine its carcinogenic effects
ABSTRACT
To determine the frequency of common cutaneous diseases in geriatric population of type IV and V skin. This Cross-sectional Survey was conducted at Skin outdoor department in May Hospital, Lahore. Two hundred and seventy patients of either sex aged sixty years and above were included in the study. Frequency of common dermatoses was noted. The data were analyzed according to age, sex and skin type. Two hundred and seventy patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients in the study was 66.85 [ +/- 8.1: range 60-105] years. Eczemas were found in [40%] of geriatric population, scabies [25.2%], fungal infection [14.8%], pruritus [9.6%], viral [8.1%] and bacterial [2.2%] infections. Regarding miscellaneous diseases, significantly greater number of patients aged 80 years or more were diagnosed to have malignant skin disorders. Eczemas were the most common dermatoses. Scabies was more prevalent in females as compared to males. The chances of skin cancer like BCC increases as the age advances
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Geriatrics , Eczema/epidemiology , Skin Neoplasms/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Scabies/epidemiologyABSTRACT
To compare the efficacy and safety of topical tacrolimus 0.03% with superoxide dismutase and catalase in vitiligo. This hospital based quasi-experimental study was carried out in out patients department of Dermatology Unit-II, Mayo Hospital Lahore in year 2006-2007. Patients were selected by non-probability purposive sampling method after obtaining an informed consent. Both sexes [above S years] were included with head and neck vitiligo. They were randomly divided into 2 groups; group 1: superoxide dismutase and catalase; group 2: tacrolimus by using random number table. There were 34[56.7%] females and 26[43.3%] males. Age of the patients ranged from 5 to 60 years with the mean age of 20.52 +/- 14.34 years. Overall 31[62%] patients showed repigmentation of varied grades. Repigmentation was shown by 14[46.6%] patients in superoxide dismutase and catalase group and 17[56.6%] patients in tacrolimus group. Topical superoxide dismutase and catalase and tacrolimus are effective treatment modalities in patients with vitiligo. There is no significant difference regarding efficacy and safety between both forms of treatment