Skin diseases in patients with primary psychiatric conditions: a hospital based study

Although the relationship between skin diseases in patients with primary psychiatric conditions is important for patient management, studies on this issue are limited. To detect the frequency and type of cutaneous disorders among patients with primary psychiatric conditions. This analytic cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 400 subjects - 200 patients with primary psychiatric disorders and 200 age and sex matched individuals free from primary psychiatric disorders. Patients included in the study were diagnosed according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DMS IV] Criteria. A specially designed questionnaire including socio-demographic data, medical history, family history and dermatological examination was applied. The data were statistically analyzed. There was a significant statistical increase in the prevalence of skin diseases in general and infectious skin diseases in particular in psychiatric patients compared with non-psychiatric patients [71.5% versus 22%, P < 0.001] and [48% versus 11%, P < 0.001], respectively. Parasitic infestations [42.7%] were the most common infectious skin diseases in psychiatric patients [P < 0.001]. Infectious skin diseases in psychiatric patients were seen most in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia [83.6%] and least in obsessive compulsive disorders [30%][P < 0.001]. Psychogenic skin disorders were found in 8.4% of psychiatric patients with skin diseases; delusional parasitosis was the most common [50%]. Health education of psychiatric patients and/or of their caregiver and periodic monthly inspection of psychiatric patients are highly indicated for the prevention and control of infectious skin diseases in primary psychiatric patients

sICAM-1 AND beta[2]microglobulin as markers of disease activity in psoriasis

Background: PASI score is used in evaluating the extent and severity of psoriasis. However, it is a subjective method with several limitations. Attention have been recently focused on some systemic immunological and inflammatory parameters useful in monitoring of psoriasis activity

Aim of work: was to detect whether the level of sICAM-1 and serum Beta 2 microglobulin could be useful parameters in monitoring the activity of psoriasis or not

Patients and Methods: This study included 40 psoriatic patients and 20 healthy controls. The patients were classified into two groups: The first group: Consisted of 20 patients in active phase of psoriasis, 10 of them were erythrodermic psoriasis and the other 10 were psoriasis vulgaris. The second group consisted of 20 patients in remission phase of psoriasis. The patients were submitted to detailed history taking, complete clinical and dermatological examinations, detection of the extent and severity of psoriatic lesions using PASI score, estimation of serum ICAM-1 and B[2]microglobulin levels by ELISA, and statistical analysis of the results was done

Results: Statistically significant elevation of sICAM-1 and P-, microglobulin levels was found in all psoriatic patients [active and remission] when compared to those of the normal control group. Statistical significant increase was found in sICAM-1 and B[2]microglobulin of patients in active psoriasis compared to those in remission phase. Statistical significant increase in sICAM-1 of active psoriasis vulgaris was found when compared to that of patients in remission phase and sICAM-1 of erythrodermic psoriasis compared to that of patients in remission phase. Statistical significant increase was found in P[2]microglobulin of patients with erythrodermic psoriasis compared to that of patients in remission phase but no statistical significant difference in B[2]microglobulin was found between patients with active psoriasis vulgaris compared to that of patients in remission phase. There was a statistical significant positive correlation between PASI score and sICAM-1 level, between PASI score and beta[2] microglobulin level and between sICAM-1 and B[2]microglobulin levels in all patients

Conclusion: sICAM-1 and 2 microglobulin are useful markers in monitoring the activity of psoriasis

Striae distensae: histological and electron microscopic study

The present work was undertaken to study the histological and ultrastructural changes in the early stage of striae distensae which could be a guide to its pathogenesis. Fourteen skin specimens were taken from early erythematous stage of striae in ten females and healthy skin from four age matched females. Edema increased glycosaminoglycans in the ground substance, inflammatory infiltrate, very sparce fragmented and degenerated elastic fibers and ruptured collagen fibers were seen. The infiltrate was lymphohistiocytic with increased number of degranulated mast cells. Active fibroblasts were also seen. It can be concluded that mast cell degranulation could play a critical role in the elastolysis of early stage of striae distensae and that the elastic fiber is the primary target of the pathological process. Active fibroblasts begin to synthesize new fibers which became dense with time

Detection of chlamydia trachomatis deoxyribonucleic acid in prostatic tissue in chronic abacterial prostatitis by in situ polymerase chain reaction

The aim of this study was to assess the pathogenic role of Chlamydia trachomatis in chronic abacterial prostatitis by in situ polymerase chain reaction [PCR] using transrectal ultrasonic guided biopsy. Thirty-five patients with chronic prostatitis and five age-matched patients suffering from lower obstructive urinary symptoms served as controls were included in the study. In situ PCR detected Chlamydia trachomatis DNA in six out of five cases of chronic abacterial prostatitis and in none of the control group. Chlamydia trachomatis DNA was found in chronic inflammatory cells of all the six positive cases and in prostatic epithelial cells in only one patient. The results supported the hypothesis that Chlamydia trachomatis has an etiological role in chronic prostatitis patients