HLA antigens in Omani psoriasis vulgaris patients

To determine the frequency of different HLA- antigens in patients with plaque psoriasis in the Omani Arab population. Fifty four Omani patients clinically diagnosed with plaque psoriasis attending the dermatology outpatient clinic in Al-Nahdah Hospital [the tertiary dermatology centre in Oman] were selected for HLA studies. HLA-B52 was present in 20.4% of patients 11/54 and in 5% of controls without psoriasis 5/100. For the association p was <0.004 and the relative risk [RR] was 4.86. Psoriasis does not appear to be associated universally with the same HLA antigens. The association of HLA-B52 with plaque psoriasis in Omani patients compares with the HLA- Cw6, -Bw57 and -DR7 preponderance in most other ethnic groups

Skin grafting-a successful surgical treatment in vitiligo - oman experience

Epidermal grafting is a surgical procedure for resistant depigmentary disorder like localised vitiligo, segmental vitiligo, and leukodermas secondary to burns, DLE, etc. This therapy is gaining popularity because of the excellent cosmetic results and more and more dermatologists are accepting the challenge. Here we present our successful experience in Oman of Autologus suction blister grafting and Partial Thickness Skin Grafting [PTG] in 30 patients. 121 out of 134 patches grafted i.e. 90.3% have shown excellent cosmetic results. Of the remaining, 5 grafts were partially taken up while the other 8 were completely rejected. Overall there was no complications of any sort and donor and the recipient sites healed without any residual scarring and with good cosmetic results. In view of the excellent results, easy out patient procedure, requiring no anaesthesia and the affordable simple technique, the procedure is advocated to be a part of the routine procedure in dermatology units

Recurrent pyoderma-gangrenosum due to monoclonal gammopathy IgA

This is a case report of a young female patient presenting with recurrent attacks of Pyoderma Gangrenosum [PG]. The disease is linked to her high level of idiopathic monoclonal gammopathy-lgA. PG recurred six times in last seven years on different parts of her body and most of the time, it was successfully treated with intralesional steroids. Dapsone helped to control the papulo-necrotic eruption that occurred in between

Behcet's disease in Oman

This is a study of 25 patients of Behcet's Disease [BD] who were followed from 1990 to 1996 at the dermatology department of Baushar and AI Nahdha hospital, Muscat. The diagnosis of the BD was based on the clinical criteria set by the International Study Group for Behcet's disease. Their presenting features, progress, complications as observed in Oman and the response to the various therapies are discussed. Ocular involvement has been the dreaded complication that has maximally debilitated the patients [13/25], i.e. 52% developed eye problems out of which 8 patients, i.e. 32%, eventually became economical blind. Chronic mouth ulceration was seen in 100%, while genital ulcerations were seen in 64% of the cases. The CNS was affected in 16%.Simuzi's classification of complete and partial Behcet's disease is highlighted for its significance of suspecting the cases earlier and in view of using immunosuppressive prophylaxis therapy that is supposed to prevent eye complications. The aim of this paper is to highlight the prevalence of this disease in this region and its high association of eye complications so that awareness is created which will lead to early suspicion and detection of such cases

Management of sexually transmitted disease by syndromic approach

Sexually transmitted diseases [STDs] are important public health problems. Recently WHO has recommended the syndromic approach for management of these diseases and the same has been adapted in the national STD control programme of Ministry of Health in Oman. This paper explains the advantages of syndromic approach and how it is integrated with preventive measures such as partner management, counselling and provision of condoms