Comparison of quality of life in patients with androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata

Abstract: Background: Androgenetic alopecia is one of the most common forms of hair loss. Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disorder which causes hair loss. It has been previously reported that both alopecia disorders can have negative effects on quality of life. However, only a few studies have compared the effects of the two disorders. Objective: The aim is to show the impact of alopecia on patients' quality of life and compare patients with androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. Methods: 82 androgenetic alopecia and 56 alopecia areata patients were recruited. All patients were evaluated with the Hairdex scale and dermatology quality of life instrument in Turkish (TQL), and the scores were statistically compared according to age, sex, employment and education status, and severity of illness in the two groups. Also, female patients were statistically evaluated according to whether they wore headscarves. Results: Androgenetic alopecia patients had significantly higher total Hairdex scores in terms of emotions, functioning, and symptoms, while self-confidence was significantly higher in the alopecia areata patients. No significant differences were found in stigmatization or TQL scores between groups. The Hairdex scale and TQL scores did not show differences between the groups in terms of wearing headscarves. Study limitations: The validity and reliability of the Hairdex index have not been established in Turkey. Conclusions: Based on the Hairdex scale, our findings revealed that androgenetic alopecia patients are more affected by their disorder than alopecia areata patients. Although androgenetic alopecia is common and neither life-threatening nor painful, it is a stressful disorder with increased need for improvement in the patient's quality of life.

Steatocystoma Multiplex Limited to the Vulva: Report of a Very Rare Case Successfully Treated by a Simple Surgical Method.

Aim: Steatocystoma multiplex (SM) is a rare malformation characterized by multiple cutaneous cystic lesions containing oily substance. SM has autosomal dominant mode of inheritance, though there are a significant number of sporadic cases reported as well. Characteristically, the lesions manifest around the time of puberty and are found on the sternal areas, face, trunk and scrotum. SM limited to the vulva is a very rare condition as there are only a five cases in the literature. Case: A 32-year-old woman presented with a 1 year-history of nodules, gradually increasing in size and number, on the labia majora. Similar lesions were not present on other parts of her body and family members. On physical examination, yellowish papules and nodules ranging in size from 2-15mm without punctum were present on the labia majora. Biopsy performed at the time revealed histological changes with steatocystoma multiplex. After a mini incision, evacuation of the cyst followed by the removal of the cyst wall was performed without complication. The lesions healed rapidly without scarring. The patient was followed by yearly controls. Recurrence was not observed until the fourth year of surgery. Smaller lesions were observed on previously untreated areas of vulva which were removed again successfully. Discussion: SM treatment is difficult. In addition to medical treatments including antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs and isotretinoin, there are different surgical treatments including total excision and grafting, cryotherapy and CO2 laser with limited success. Conclusion: This is a very rare case of SM limited to the vulva, simply and successfully treated by a simple surgical method, emphasizing the importance of cyst wall removal to achieve long time remission.

A family of Bart-Pumphrey syndrome.

Bart-Pumphrey syndrome (BPS) is an autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by hearing loss, leukonychia, knuckle pads and palmoplantar keratoderma. Two mutations in the extracellular domain of GBJ2 are resposible for this syndrome. To date, less than 10 case reports or clinical series about BPS have been published in the literature. Hearing loss and knuckle pads are the more commonly seen findings of this syndrome. Three generations and six family members with variable findings of knuckle pads, leukonychia, hearing loss and palmoplantar hyperkeratosis were presented in this report. We want to emphasize that dermatogists must be alert during the evaluation of these findings because some findings of this disorder may be vague or absent.