ABSTRACT
Acne vulgaris is a common dermatologic disease. Isotretinoin is one of the medications prescribed in severe cases of acne. Despite its high efficacy, isotretinoin use for acne is associated with some side effects. This study was done to evaluate the effects of isotretinoin on serum levels of creatine phosphokinase [CPK] and musculoskeletal symptoms in patients with acne vulgaris. This study was done on forty 15-to 30-year-old patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris recruited from Semnan dermatology clinics in 2010. The participants were all candidates for isotretinoin therapy. Serum CPK levels and musculoskeletal physical exam were checked before the treatment and every 2 months for 6 months. Isotretinoin was prescribed 0.5-1 mg/kg/body weight and continued throughout the study period with the same dosage. Thirty-three [82.5%] patients were female. The mean [ +/- Standard Deviation] age of the participants was 22.3 +/- 3.4 years. The mean serum CPK levels increased significantly, [P<0.05], 2, 4 and 6 months after the treatment, but they remained below the upper limit of normal range [45-160 IU/L], except in an 18-year old patient, which it was 162 IU/L. Moreover, they did not exhibit noticeable musculoskeletal symptoms. Musculoskeletal symptoms, such as mild myalgia, were reported in 10% of the patients but they were relieved gradually. It seems that the increase in serum levels of CPK, with or without musculoskeletal symptoms, in patients who are on isotretinoin, is a benign phenomenon. Therefore, we do not recommend measurement of CPK levels in patients with mild myalgia
ABSTRACT
Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease. Cardiovascular diseases have been reported with greater frequency in patients with Psoriais. This may result from hyperlipidemia which seen in these patients. The aim of this study was to further study profiles of serum lipids and to determine, if any, correlation between severity of disease and extent of hyperlipidemia in these patients. Subjects consisted of 52 patients with Psoriasis and 50 matched [sex and age] healthy persons as a control group. Blood samples were obtained following 14 hour fasting status and serum levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL were determined using standard laboratory methods. Our findings showed that levels of TG, cholesterol, LDL and VLDL were significantly higher in psoriatic patients when compared with control ones[p< 0.001], but HDL level was similar between two groups. Also, any relationship was not found between lipids levels and severity of disease. Our findings further confirm lipid abnormalities in Psoriatic patients. This may enhance risk of cardiovascular diseases in these patients. Thus, we recommend all patients with Psoriasis, regardless of disease severity, should be checked for serum lipids profiles
ABSTRACT
Tinea capitis is a relatively common fungal infection in children. Although several oral antifungal agents have been used in the treatment of tinea capitis, griseofulvin has been considered as the treatment of choice for a long time. To compare the therapeutic effects of fluconazole with griseofulvin on tinea capitis. Through a randomized, single-blinded, clinical trial on 40 clinically suspected and mycologically confirmed tinea capitis cases, 19 cases received oral fluconazole for 4 weeks and 21 patients were treated with griseofulvin for 6 weeks. All patients were evaluated clinically and mycologically before receiving their treatment and 8 weeks after the begining of treatment. The age range of the patients was from 1 to 16 years. Thirty-two cases were males. Mycology studies indicated that the causative agents were Trichophyton verrucosum in 16 cases, Trichophyton violaceum in 16 cases and Microsporum canis in 8 cases. At the end of the eighth week of the begining of treatment, 15 cases were cured in the fluconazole group compared with 16 cases in the griseofulvin group [P>0.05]. It seems that griseofulvin could be still considered as the first choice drug in the treatment of tinea capitis and fluconazole could be used as an alternative drug