Allergic contact dermatitis: a comparison between atopic and non-atopic individuals

To determine the prevalence of ACD in atopics in comparison to non-atopics in our community. Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Departments of Dermatology, King Edward Medical College/Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from May 1998 to July 1999. Subjects and Two hundred and fifty patients, 34 with past or present atopic dermatitis [Group I], 88 with personal or familial atopy [Group II] and 128 non-atopic with contact dermatitis [Group III] were subjected to patch testing with European standard series. The results were interpreted according to International Contact Dermatitis Research Group guidelines. Positive reactions were seen in 50%, 70.4% and 67.8% of patients in the respective groups [p>0.05]. Our results suggest that atopics are equally affected with contact dermatitis as compared with non-atopics and recalcitrant cases of atopic dermatitis should be patch tested to find out aggravating factors

Tinea capitis: a family problem

To determine the frequency of a positive family history of dermatophytosis and the presence of a separate focus of dermatophytic infection in patients with tinea capitis. A prospective, cross-sectional study. A total of 100 patients with mycologically proven tinea capitis were examined, and a family history was taken of dermatophytic infections in family members. Clinical and mycological examinations of index cases as well as of affected family members were carried out. Department of Dermatology, Mayo Hospital/King Edward Medical College, Lahore. Sixty eight patients [68%] had a positive family history of dermatophytosis and 17 [17%] had a focus of dermatophytic infection other than tinea capitis. A family history of tinea capitis or other dermatophytosis is a frequent accompaniment, in patients with tinea capitis. Also, some patients have another focus of dermatophytic infection in addition to the tinea capitis. These factors may serve as course of infection in the patient as well as in the family and community

Cutaneous manifestations of diabetes mellitus: a study from Lahore, Pakistan

To assess the spectrum of cutaneous changes in diabetes mellitus in Lahore, Pakistan. Design; Prospective clinical study with follow up of 4 months. Setting; Medical outdoor and indoor, Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Subjects: One hundred adult patients of any age and either sex suffering from diabetes mellitus. Main outcome measures: Cutaneous manifestations. Of 100 patients, skin changes were found in 96% of patients [P<0.00001]. The most frequent finding was the cutaneous infections [55%]. Other common findings included: tingling and burning of feet [45%], sweating disorders [26%], tartar deposits [24%], gingivitis [22%], diabetic dermopathy [18%], generalized pruritus [15%], localized pruritus [15%] and thickened skin [12%]. Less common manifestations were: nail disorders [11%], skin tags [10%], cherry angiomas [7%], vitiligo [5%], foot ulceration [5%] and burning mouth [5%] Rare features were: insulin complications [3%], xanthelasma palpebrarum [3%], amputation toe [3%], callus and fissures over feet [2%], syndrome of limited joint mobility and waxy skin [2%] and eruptive xanthomas [2%]. Conclusions: There is significantly increased prevalence of cutaneous manifestations in our diabetic patients [p<0.00001]

open, non-comparative study for the evaluation of oral fluconazole in the treatment of tinea corporis, T. cruris, T.pedis

To assess the safety and efficacy of weekly 150mg doses of oral fluconazole for the treatment of tinea corporis/tinea cruris for upto 4 weeks and of tinea pedis for upto 6 weeks. Design: A total of 53 patients with mycologically proven tinea corporis, tinea cruris or tinea pedis [tinea corporis/tinea cruris, n=47; tinea pedis, n=6] were treated with 150 mg weekly doses of oral fluconazole. Patients were assessed clinically and mycologically at baseline, 2 weeks and then weekly till the last dose of medication was administered. Final follow-up was at 28-35 days after cessation of therapy. Settings: Department of Dermatology, Mayo Hospital, King Edward Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan. Clinical cure rate 28-35 days after cessation of therapy was 70% [72.3% for the tinea corporis/ tinea cruris group and 50% for the tinea pedis group], 30% showing moderate to marked improvement. Mycological eradication was seen in 47 patients [88.6%], [91.5% in tinea corporis/tinea cruris and 66.7% in tinea pedis], persistence in 3 [5.7%] [1 patient with tinea cruris and 2 with tinea pedis], and relapse in 3 patients [5.7%] [all 3 with tinea corporis/tinea cruris]. Mild side effects, not requiring cessation of therapy, were seen in 7 patients. Weekly 150mg doses of fluconazole are safe and effective when given for tinea corporis/tinea cruris for upto 4 weeks and for tinea pedis for upto 6 weeks

Randomized, comparative, study of 1% Naftifine cream [once daily] and 1% Tioconazole cream [twice daily] in the treatment of Tinea cruris Naftifine cream [once daily] and 1% Tioconazole cream [twice daily] in the treatment of Tinea cruris

To compare the efficacy and tolerability of 1% naftifine cream [once daily] and 1% tioconazole cream [twice daily] in the treatment of tinea cruris. A randomized, comparative study of 4-week treatment followed by 4-week of wash-out period. Out-patient Clinic of Department of Dermatology, Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Thirty-three adult patients of either sex or age suffering from tinea cruis. Efficacy i.e. response to treatment in terms of clinical improvement and negative mycology and safety i.e. adverse effects. Of 33 evaluable patients, 15 patients were treated with naftifine cream and 18 with tioconazole cream. Isolated pathogens included, Trichophyton rubrum [n=16], Epidermophyton floccosum [n=9], T. interdigitale [n=7] and T. violaceum [n=1]. Final evaluation at 8 weeks showed 100% efficacy in both the groups. both the drugs were well tolerated. Naftifine is equal to tioconazole in terms of efficacy and safety in the treatment of tinea cruris

study of skin disease in Chitral

Two thousand six hundred and twenty five cases were examined in five different villages of Chitral to study the prevalence of skin disease. One thousand nine hundred and three [72.5%] were actually found to have a dermatological problem. Nail disorders [27.8%], pediculosis capitis [15.2%], branding [12.5%], mouth diseases [10.6%], hyperkeratosis [10.2%], cutaneous tumours [7.8%], eczema [6.6%], xeroderma [6.2%], insect bites [6%] and pityriasis alba [5%] were the ten common dermatoses

Study of fixed drug eruptions in Karachi

Thirty three patients with fixed drug eruptions were subjected to provocation tests. Cotrimoxazole was the commonest drug responsible, followed by trimethoprim, Beserol and tinidazole. There was cross sensitivity among sulphonamides. Polysensitivity was recorded with one case each of Ampicillin and Beserol to Cotrimoxazole

open study of tioconzole 1 dermal cream in patients with pityriasis versicolor dermal cream in patients with pityriasis versicolor / dermal cream in patients with pityriasis versicolor

Sixty five cases of pityriasis versicolor were treated with 1% Tioconazole dermal cream twice daily for three weeks in an open study to determine its efficacy. They were assessed before treatment and at one, two, three and six weeks after initiation of therapy. Fifty three patients [81.5%] were completely cured while twelve patients [18.5%] had recurrence on discontinuation of therapy. Five patients [7.5%] had side effects in the form of itching and burning which however, did not necessitate interruption of treatment