Adolescents' self perceived acne-related beliefs: from myth to science

Abstract Background: Acne vulgaris is recognized as the third most prevalent skin disease worldwide, with highest prevalence among adolescents. Beliefs and perceptions of adolescents about acne are incoherent in the literature. Objectives: To assess the most frequently reported acne-related beliefs in adolescents in order to focus on misconceptions and develop proper recommendations. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study on representative sample of 2516 schoolchildren was conducted in six randomly selected secondary schools in Belgrade, Serbia. Only schoolchildren with present or past acne history participated. Factors believed to aggravate or ameliorate acne were recorded and analyzed, and the comparisons between girls and boys were evaluated using Pearson's chi-squared test. Results: A total of 1452 schoolchildren with acne participated, aged 14-18 years, among them 801 (55.2%) girls and 651 (44.8%) boys. Boys significantly more frequently believed that sweating, exercise, and dairy foods aggravate acne, whereas girls significantly more frequently blamed emotional stress, sweets, fatty foods, sun, and lack of sleep. The top four amelioration factors were as follows: comedone extraction, healthy diet, sun exposure, and increased water consumption. Acne regression was more frequently perceived to be linked with cigarettes in boys, but with sun exposure and weight loss in girls. Study limitations: The narrow age span of adolescents (14-18 years) and exclusion of acne-free adolescents are limitations due to study design. Conclusion: This survey is part of the first epidemiological study on a representative sample in the Western Balkan region. The significance of the most frequent acne-related beliefs is discussed and myths about acne are highlighted.

Fixed drug eruption caused by tadalafil - case report / Erupcao fixa por droga provocada por tadalafil - relato de caso

Fixed drug eruptions (FDE) are commonly reported type of mucocutaneous drug eruption. The aim of this paper is to present a patient with multiple mucocutaneous erythema fixum type lesions caused by oral tadalafil use. A short course of topical corticosteroid therapy resulted in complete resolution of all lesions leaving residual hyperpigmentation of the involved skin sites. Mucosal oral lesions were effectively treated with gingival hyaluronic acid 0.2% gel. Conclusion: when assessing a patient of any age with drug eruptions, a thorough personal history should be obtained, in particular data on regular or recreational use of phospodiesterase type 5 inhibitors.

A erupção fixa por droga é um tipo de erupção mucocutânea comumente relatada, provocada pela administração de de drogas. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar um paciente com múltiplas lesões mucocutâneas do tipo do eritema fixo, causadas pelo uso do tadalafil oral. Um breve período de tratamento com corticosteroides tópicos levou à completa resolução de todas as lesões, deixando hiperpigmentação residual nas áreas cutâneas envolvidas. As lesões da mucosa oral foram tratadas efetivamente com gel de ácido hialurônico gengival a 0,2%. Conclusão: ao avaliar o paciente com erupção fixa por druga, de qualquer idade, deve ser obtido seu histórico pessoal completo, especialmente dados sobre uso regular ou recreativo de inibidores de fosfodiesterase tipo 5.

Penile herpes zoster: an unusual location for a common disease

Herpes zoster is a common dermatological condition which affects up to 20 percent of the population, most frequently involving the thoracic and facial dermatomes with sacral lesions occurring rarely and only a few reported cases of penile shingles. Case report: We report two cases of unusual penile clinical presentations of varicella zoster virus infection in immunocompetent men. The patients presented with grouped clusters of vesicles and erythema on the left side of penile shaft and posterior aspect of the left thigh and buttock, involving s2-s4 dermatomes. The lesions resolved quickly upon administration of oral antiviral therapy. Conclusion: Penile herpes zoster should not be overlooked in patients with unilateral vesicular rash.

Quality of life perceptions of middle-aged women living with a disability in Muang district, Khon Kaen, Thailand: WHOQOL perspective.

OBJECTIVES: Measure the quality of life of middle-aged women with a disability and examine the association of their quality of life and socio-demographic factors. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study was applied Thirty-two women with disabilities aged 40-60 years were selected by using stratified random sampling. The WHOQOL-BREF-THAI, Modified Barthel ADL Index (BAI), Chula ADL Index (CAI), and Estrogen hormone deficit syndrome questionnaires were applied Data were analyzed by using descriptive analysis and Spearman's correlation. RESULTS: The level of their overall quality of life, when measuring all dimensions of WHOQOL, was moderate. Overall, QOL perceptions correlated positively and significantly with BAI (r(s) = 0.4848, p = 0.0048), CAI (r(s) = 0.5963, p = 0.0005), and their income balance (r = 0.4124, p = 0.0150), while other factors such as marital status, educational level, occupation, duration of disability, disability level, health problem, and estrogen hormone deficit syndrome were not statistically significant correlated. CONCLUSION: The present study results revealed that independency and financial sufficiency are significant factors on quality of life of disabled middle-age women. Promoting independency and financial status may be crucial for enhancing their quality of life.