[Comparative efficacy of 2% hydroquinone and melfade in treatment of melasma]

Melasma is an acquired hypermelanosis disease and can cause superficial problems in women if left untreated. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of 2% hydroquinone and Melfade in the treatment of Melasma. This is a randomized clinical trial study conducted at Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences in 2008. Sixty two women with Melasma disease were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups. Two percent hydroquinone was prescribed for the first group [n=31] and Melfade for the second group. After 12 weeks of daily drug consumption by the patients, they were examined by a dermatologist for assessment of recovery. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS software. Response to treatment with hydroquinone and Melfadewas the same and no significant differences were found between the two groups. [P>0.05] Results of this study demonstrated that topical Melfade is as effective as 2% hydrquinone in treatment of Melasma, Therefore it can be considered as an alternative drug in the treatment of Melasma

[ comparative clinical trial of topical triamcinolone [Adcortyle] and a herbal solution for the treatment of minor aphthous stomatitis]

Aphthous stomamtitis is characterized by single or multiple painful recurrent lesions in oral mucosa. Lesions can relapse in some patients for several years. Therefore treatment of such cases seems necessary. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic effect of topical Myrtus communis [myrtle] solution with topical triamcinolone [Adcortyle] in the treatment of minor apotheosis. This clinical-trial study was conducted at Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences in 2009. 100 patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups. The 1[st] group received topical myrtle solution. The 2[nd] group received topical trimcinolone [Adcortyle]. After one week patients' declaration about time of the recovery of the pain and deterioration of oral lesion was recorded. The gathered data was then analyzed using the SPSS statistical software using t-test and chi-square. After treatment, both groups showed response to topical medications with no significant difference between them [p>0.05]. results of this study showed that topical myrtle solution is effective in the treatment of minor aphthous stomatitis and its therapeutic effect is comparable with topical triamcinolone [Adcortyle]

[Acrodermatitis enteropathica with a normal serum zinc level: a case report]

Acrodermatitis enteropathica is a rare autosomal recessive disorder.The serum zinc levels are usually low in these patients, but cases with normal serum zinc level have been reported. The clinical manifestations include skin lesions, in particular in periorificial areas, and extremities ,diarrhea and alopecia. These clinical signs may occur together only in 20% of the cases .Other manifestations of the disease are behavior and mood changes ,failure to thrive, susceptibility to infection, nail changes and delayed wound healing. Here we report a case of acrodermatitis enteropathica with a normal serum zinc level. The patient was an 11 month old infant who was reffered to Bassat Hospital with well defined erythematous ,erosions and crusted skin lesions in perioral, perianal, buttocks, external genitalia and extremities from 4 months ago. The patient had history of irritability and infrequent episodes of diarrhea. Lab work up revealed a normal serum zinc level of 67microg/dl [Reference range: 60-121 microg/dl]. 2 weeks after zinc supplementation, the skin lesions improved. Diagnosis of acrodermatitis enteropathica is based on clinical manifestations and this diagnosis is confirmed with a low serum zinc level. But in rare cases with normal serum zinc level and relevant clinical signs ,we recommend a short term clinical trial of zinc supplementation. Improvement of the skin lesions and other symptoms confirms the diagnosis

[Comparison of the therapeutic efficacy of Azithromycin vs Tetracycline in Acne Vulgaris]

Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease which affects a large number of adolescents and adults at some time in their life. Several drugs have been used for the treatment of acne vulgaris and recently systemic azithromycin has been tried for its treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of azithromycin vs. tetracycline in acne vulgaris. The present study was a randomized investigator-blind clinical trial, carried out at the outpatient department of Besat Hospital of Sanandaj in 2008. 82 patients were allocated randomly into two groups. Azithromycin 500 mg for 3 consecutive days per week for the first month, then 250 mg/ every other day was prescribed for the first group The second group received tetracycline 250 mg/6h. The treatments continued for 12 weeks. The therapeutic efficacy of these drugs was assessed on the basis of lesion counting. Data were introduced into SPSS 11.5 software and analyzed by means of independent t- test, Mann-Whitney and chi-square test. The mean number of lesions was not statistically different before treatment in the two groups. There was statistically a significant difference in the mean number of inflammatory papular lesions on the face and back after treatment [p<0.05]. However no significant difference was found in comedons lesions in both groups. The percentages of improvement of inflammatory papular lesions on the face and back were 82.3, 63.6 and 80.14 and 58.56 respectively [p<0.05]. This study suggested that azithromycin was more effective than tetracycline in treating inflammatory papular lesions of acne vulgaris on the face and back. Azithromycin can be used as an alternative in the treatment of resistant inflammatory papular lesions to tetracycline