A review on the role of moisturizers for atopic dermatitis

Effective management of atopic dermatitis (AD) involves the treatment of a defective skin barrier. Patients with AD are therefore advised to use moisturizers regularly. To date, there are few comparative studies involving moisturizers in patients with AD, and no classification system exists to objectively determine which types of moisturizers are best suited to specific AD phenotypes. With this in mind, a group of experts from allergy and immunology, adult and pediatric dermatology, and pediatrics centers within Southeast Asia met to review current data and practice, and to develop recommendations regarding the use of moisturizers in patients with AD within the Asia-Pacific region. Chronicity and severity of AD, along with patient age, treatment compliance, and economic background should all be taken into account when selecting an appropriate moisturizer for AD patients. Other considerations include adjuvant properties of the product, cosmetic acceptability, and availability over the counter. Well-defined clinical phenotypes of AD could optimally benefit from specific moisturizers. It is hoped that future studies may identify such differences by means of filaggrin mutation subtypes, confocal microscopic evaluation, pH, transepidermal water loss or presence of allergy specific IgE. Recommendations to improve the regular use of moisturizers among AD patients include measures that focus on treatment compliance, patient and caregiver education, appropriate treatment goals, avoidance of sensitizing agents, and collaboration with other relevant specialists.

Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis in a Southeast Asian Tertiary Dermatological Centre

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>This study aimed to assess the frequency of anxiety and depression in a cohort of adult patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) in a tertiary dermatological centre, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). We looked for any correlation between anxiety and depression with skin disease severity.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Patients with AD were recruited from the National Skin Centre, Singapore, from 2008 to 2009 for a prospective cross-sectional study. The scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) grade was determined and the HADS was administered via interviews.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 100 patients (78 males, 22 females) were enrolled (92% Chinese, 4% Malays and 4% Indians). Their average age was 25.7 years. Sixty-five percent used topical steroids, 14% had previously taken oral prednisolone for the control of disease flares, and 20% were on concurrent systemic therapy. The mean SCORAD was 55.0, with 99% of patients having moderate or severe AD. The mean HADS anxiety score was 7.2 and the mean depression score was 5.0. The level of anxiety correlated well with that of depression (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.59,<0.05); 18% were considered as cases of anxiety and 5% as cases of depression. These patients also had higher SCORAD values compared to other patients with lower scores for anxiety or depression (<0.05). Linear regression demonstrated a statistically significant positive relationship between anxiety and depression scores, and SCORAD scores.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our study identified, by means of the HADS, the frequency of anxiety and depression amongst a cohort of Singaporean patients with AD. More severe skin disease correlated to greater psychological burden. The HADS is a useful screening tool that can constitute part of the overall holistic management of patients with AD so as to improve patient care.</p>

Livedoid vasculopathy and its association with factor V Leiden mutation

Livedoid vasculopathy is a rare chronic relapsing disorder characterised by recurrent painful thrombotic and vasculitic ulcers on the legs. We present the cases of two Indian women with livedoid vasculopathy that were found to be associated with an underlying factor V Leiden heterozygous mutation. There were no other thrombotic manifestations, and livedoid vasculopathy was the sole presenting feature of the factor V Leiden mutation, although this could also be coincidental. Initial treatment with high-dose immunosuppressive therapy was suboptimal, and the addition of pentoxifylline and antiplatelet therapy was crucial in achieving disease control and remission. These cases highlight the possible association with an underlying prothrombotic disorder, such as factor V Leiden mutation, in patients with livedoid vasculopathy. Although this association is relatively uncommon, it is more relevant to Indian patients, as the presence of factor V Leiden mutation is highest in this ethnicity as compared to the local Malay and Chinese populations.

Squamous cell carcinoma and Bowen's disease of the skin in Singapore

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Non-melanoma skin cancer is one of the commonest cancers in Singapore and worldwide. The aim of our study was to evaluate the demographic and clinicopathological patterns of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and Bowen's disease (BD) of the skin, in order to better understand the characteristics of these tumours in our population.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Histologically proven cases of SCC and BD seen at our centre between 2002 and 2003 were retrospectively analysed according to age, sex, race, predisposing factors such as immunosuppression and ultraviolet therapy, site and size of tumour, histological differentiation and subtype, and treatment method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 161 patients were studied--81 with SCC, 68 with BD, and 12 with both tumours. There were 199 tumours in total--105 SCC and 94 BD. For both SCC and BD, males outnumbered females (ratio of 2.4:1 and 1.5:1 respectively); patient age averaged 72.9 years and 66.8 years respectively; and Chinese were the majority race. The mean duration to presentation was 21.2 months for SCC compared with 39.9 months for BD, and common symptoms were itch, pain and bleeding for both. The mean tumour size was 19.0 mm and 18.5 mm, and the commonest site was the head and neck for both.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SCC and BD show rather similar patient characteristics, with a predominance among males, having a predilection for the head and neck region, and with a tendency towards slow growth. As incidences increase worldwide, it is important for healthcare providers to be adept at recognising and managing nonmelanoma skin cancers.</p>