Association of interleukin 4 [-590 T/C] and interleukin 4 receptor [Q551R A/G] gene polymorphisms with acne vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is a common skin disorder. The complete etiology of this disease remains to be identified; however, it seems that aberrant expression of cytokine genes might be a contributing factor. This study aimed to investigate the association of genetic polymorphisms related to interleukin 4 [IL-4] promotor and receptor [IL-4R] genes as inflammatory modulators with acne vulgaris. A case-control study 95 acne patients recruited from outpatient dermatology clinics affiliated with Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Acne patient data were compared with 87 normal healthy unrelated controls from the same locality. The genomic DNA was extracted and processed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction amplification for characterization of polymorphisms related to IL-4 [-590 T/C] and IL-4R [Q551R A/G] genes. Acne patients compared to controls showed no significant difference in the frequencies of IL-4 [-590 T/C] polymorphic genotypes [P=.8], yet had a highly significant difference in IL-4R [Q551R A/G] genotypes [P<.001]. The frequencies of the mutant genotype IL-4R GG as well as the allele IL-4R G were significantly higher in cases of acne than in controls. Furthermore, acne cases showed higher frequencies of combined genotypes IL4R_GG with IL-4_CC, CT, or TT. However, no significant difference was noted on comparing subgroups related to disease severity or response to treatment [P>.05]. This study provides evidence for a significant association of IL-4R [Q551R A/G] genetic polymorphisms with the susceptibility rather than the severity of acne vulgaris

Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy improves the quality of life in patients with psoriasis

To examine whether narrowband ultraviolet B [NBUVB] phototherapy administration to plaque-type psoriatic patients leads to an improvement in patient's quality of life [QoL]. A total of 95 patients with plaque-type psoriasis were recruited in the Outpatient Dermatology Clinics of Qassim University affiliated hospitals, Buraydah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from January to October 2010. The NBUVB phototherapy was administrated 3 times a week for 6 months in a standardized fashion. Patients were asked to complete pre- and post-phototherapy Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI] questionnaire. Seventy-two patients were included in the study, while the remaining 23 were excluded, as they had not completed the post-phototherapy DLQI questionnaire. The statistical differences in mean +/- standard deviation of QoL were measured using Origin 6.1 software package [one paired two tailed t-test with one way analysis of variance] based on pre- and post-phototherapy questionnaires. The administration of NBUVB phototherapy to plaque-type psoriasis patients significantly improved the QoL, and was well-correlated with the reduction in psoriasis area and severity index [PASI] score. Data showed that DLQI significantly improved in both male and female patients [p=0.00] after NBUVB phototherapy. The visual analogue scale [VAS] scores also significantly improved [p=0.00] with NBUVB. In this study, we found that NBUVB phototherapy improves the QoL of plaque-type psoriasis patients

Knowledge and attitude towards vitiligo in Qassim Locality, Saudi Arabia

Vitiligo is a common depigmentary disorder of the skin with a prevalence rate of 1-2%. The social acceptance of people with vitiligo is largely dependent on perceptions of this disease in a given population and often represents a considerable problem for patients and their families. To know our population's attitude towards vitiligo, including people's knowledge of the disease, sources of information and reaction towards vitiligo patients. This cross-sectional survey was done using a self-administered questionnaire. Subjects were recruited from the graduate students, and employees of Qassim University from April, 2006 to July, 2006. The data were collected and analyzed using Statistical Program for Social Sciences [SPSS release 15.0]. p<0.05 was accepted for statistical significance. The study included 423 subjects; 325 [76.2%] were males and 98 [23.8%] were females. One hundred and thirty five subjects [31.9%] had no information about vitiligo while 78.7% of them reported that available sources of information about the disease in general are not enough. The main source of information for males was their physicians and for females were the newspapers [p>0.05] The disease was regarded as genetically transmissible by 58.2% and 55.6% thought it could be aggravated by stress. About 83% of surveyed subjects declined to marry a diseased person. Community education is needed to clear some false perceptions in the mind of general population regarding vitiligo. This chronic skin disease prevents healthy life style, and better understanding of this disease by general public can result in better adaptation of vitiligo patients in the society

IL-10 Implications in Psoriasis

Interleukin [IL]-10 is a pluripotent cytokine with effects on numerous cell populations, in particular circulating and resident immune cells as well as epithelial cells. With its potent immunoregulatory capacities, its main biological function seems to be the limitation and termination of inflammatory responses. Hence, its low level expression found in psoriasis may have pathophysiological relevance to this immune disease. Remarkably, the induction of IL-10 expression was found by conventional antipsoriatic therapies, supporting the hypothesis that it may be a key cytokine in psoriasis. Furthermore, the first use in clinical trials in patients with established psoriasis showed that it had moderate antipsoriatic effects and was well tolerated. Moreover, long-term application in psoriatic patients in remission showed that it decreases the incidence of relapse and prolongs the disease free interval. The IL-10 antipsoriatic activity is suggested to be due to the effects on different cell populations, including antigen presenting cells and T-cells [type 1/type 2 balance shift], but not through direct effects on keratinocytes. In conclusion, IL-10 seems to have major clinical and therapeutic implications in psoriasis. Further multicenter, placebo-controlled, double blind trials are required to be an established antipsoriatic therapy. We can come to the conclusion that IL-10 genetic polymorphism and expression is potentially a key immune marker in psoriasis

Assessment of quality of life in Saudi patients with vitiligo in a medical school in Qassim province, Saudi Arabia

To determine the quality of life in Saudi patients with vitiligo and to detect the variables that could influence it by using the Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI]. One hundred and nine Saudi vitiligo patients were recruited from Qassim Medical College clinics between November 2004 and September 2006. We included 61 males, 48 females with an age range of 18 to 47 years, and a mean of 26.94 [SD +/- 9.73] years. Quality of life was evaluated using DLQI questionnaire and related to variables as age, gender, marital status, and extent of cutaneous involvement. Family history of vitiligo in first degree relatives was positive in 27.5%. The mean DLQI for all cases was 14.72 [SD +/- 5.173] that showed no statistical difference between males and females. Patients on light therapy and with generalized vitiligo had significantly higher DLQI scores than patients on topical treatments and localized cutaneous involvement. Women are more embarrassed and self-conscious on the disease with more impairment of their social life, personal relationships, sexual activities, and more influenced in their choice of clothing than men. Vitiligo is associated with severe impairment of quality of life among Saudi patients. Dermatologists should pay careful attention to the psychosocial impact of vitiligo in the patients' life. Involvement of psychologist and even psychiatrist should be an essential part in the management of these cases

Prevalence, knowledge, beliefs and psychosocial impact of acne in University students in Central Saudi Arabia

To describe the prevalence of acne among Qassim University students, and to evaluate the knowledge, beliefs, and its psychosocial impact on them. We observed 717 students [381 males, and 336 females], at Qassim University Medical clinics during February and March 2005. We interviewed and examined the subjects for the presence of acne. After confirming the diagnosis, we asked the patients several questions about acne, history, knowledge, perceptions, beliefs, and its psychosocial impact on them. We performed statistical analysis using the chi-square test with a 5% significance level. We found 56.2% of the students to have acne. The difference between both gender was statistically insignificant, and 47.9% of patients suffered from acne for more than one year. Of those who sought medical advice, 40.3% had their consultation within 3 months of the disease onset, and 58.9% of patients sought medical advice as a self-decision. Fifty-six percent believed they have an adequate knowledge of acne, and the most common source of information was newspapers. The most believed factor responsible for acne was hormones, and the most aggravating factor was stress. In 46% of patients, acne had no, or minimal effect on their self-image and in most of the patients [73%] it had no or minimal effect on their relationships. Acne is a common skin disease among Qassim university students, affecting both gender. We need health education in our community to encourage people to seek appropriate help for skin problems. We require further community based research to evaluate the effectiveness of such educational interventions in under-standing the natural history, pathogenesis and the sequelae of acne, increasing help-seeking behavior, and improving the awareness of patients about acne