ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Scabies is an old and common contagious skin disease. The incidence of scabies has decreased through the economic growth of Korea. However, recent outbreaks in medical facilities have created a suspicion that the infection of scabies is an emerging public health problem. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the epidemiological and clinical aspects of patients diagnosed with scabies in Korea. This prospective study follows the retrospective study already performed by the same authors in 2011. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective study of scabies was performed at 25 hospitals in Korea. We included 914 patients who were diagnosed with scabies. Microscopic examination revealed scabies mites or eggs, or clinical improvement after treatment. Patients were asked to provide information on scabies, especially regarding the contact source, and the physicians examined them. RESULTS: Of the participants, 432 patients were men and 482 were women. Patients aged younger than 10 years and 60~69 years were the most common groups. Scabies more commonly affected patients during the fall and winter. Of the patients, 68.0% were thought to be infected at their homes, followed by nursing homes or hospitals (25.7%), and 31.6% through contact with other patients or, occasionally, staff members, including caregivers. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that scabies is an emerging threat in institutions, especially medical facilities. In addition, we suggest that public and in-hospital education is essential to minimize the problems associated with scabies.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Caregivers , Disease Outbreaks , Economic Development , Education , Eggs , Epidemiologic Studies , Epidemiology , Incidence , Korea , Mites , Nursing Homes , Ovum , Prospective Studies , Public Health , Scabies , Skin DiseasesABSTRACT
Subungual glomus tumors are benign neoplasms that arise from the neuromyoarterial apparatus. They present with various clinical symptoms such as localized pain, tenderness, and sensitivity to temperature change and can be palpated as a nodule or mass on physical examination. Pressure erosion can be seen at adjacent bones on radiography. However, in most cases, the tumors are too small to be inspected and located under the nail plate, which makes correct diagnosis and complete excision very difficult. Incomplete removal can cause recurrence or deformity to the residual nail, whereas extensive removal can cause trauma or deformity to the nail plate. Thus, correct differential diagnosis and preoperative evaluation of the location and extent of the tumor are very important. Here, we report 2 cases that were diagnosed and preoperatively evaluated using ultrasound.
Subject(s)
Congenital Abnormalities , Diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Glomus Tumor , Physical Examination , Radiography , Recurrence , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
Squamous cell carcinoma of the nail apparatus is a rare phenomenon. Because of its indolent course and similar presentation to other benign conditions, correct diagnosis in the early stages is practically difficult. We here report two cases of periungual squamous cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen's disease). These cases emphasize the importance of extra vigilance and high suspicion when facing intractable atypical lesions on the fingers. Repetitive biopsy with exploratory nail plate extraction should be considered to acquire appropriate specimens, which is critical for early and correct diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Biopsy , Bowen's Disease , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Diagnosis , Fingers , NailsABSTRACT
No abstract available.
Subject(s)
Eosinophilia , Eosinophils , Folliculitis , Mucous Membrane , Naproxen , Skin Diseases, VesiculobullousABSTRACT
No abstract available.
Subject(s)
Eosinophilia , Eosinophils , Folliculitis , Mucous Membrane , Naproxen , Skin Diseases, VesiculobullousABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Scabies is one of the common skin diseases observed in developing countries. The incidence of scabies has decreased dramatically since the late 1980s in Korea. However, recent outbreaks in nursing homes or hospitals have been raising public health concerns. OBJECTIVE: We intended to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical aspects of patients diagnosed with scabies in Korea. In particular, we tried to investigate the changing trend of contact sources in our society. METHODS: A multi-center cross sectional study was performed at 25 hospitals in Korea. We included 1,539 patients who were diagnosed with scabies. These patients showed scabies mites or eggs under microscopic examination, or clinical improvement after treatment. Their medical records with information of contact sources were reviewed. RESULTS: Six hundred and ninety-three patients were males and 826 were females. Patients' age from 70 to 79 was the most common followed by patients below 10 years of age. More patients were found in the fall and winter months. 66.7% of patients were thought to be infected at their homes which were situated next to nursing homes or hospitals (23.1%). Place of infection could not be verified in 39.3% of patients. 25.8% of patients were suggested to be infected through contact with medical staff or patients from hospitals or nursing homes. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that the contact sources of scabies are changing in our society; nursing homes and hospitals are emerging sources of infection. The majority of patients are old or very young who are vulnerable to many diseases. Therefore, dermatologists should pay attention to new contact sources and appropriate care of patients.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Developing Countries , Disease Outbreaks , Eggs , Hypogonadism , Incidence , Korea , Medical Records , Medical Staff , Mites , Mitochondrial Diseases , Nursing Homes , Ophthalmoplegia , Ovum , Public Health , Retrospective Studies , Scabies , Skin DiseasesABSTRACT
Role of iron in hair loss is not clear yet. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between iron and hair loss. Retrospective chart review was conducted on patients with female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and male pattern hair loss (MPHL). All patients underwent screening including serum ferritin, iron, and total iron binding capacity (TIBC), CBC, ESR and thyroid function test. For normal healthy controls, age-sex matched subjects who had visited the hospital for a check-up with no serious disease were selected. A total 210 patients with FPHL (n = 113) and MPHL (n = 97) with 210 healthy controls were analyzed. Serum ferritin concentration (FC) was lower in patients with FPHL (49.27 +/- 55.8 microg/L), compared with normal healthy women (77.89 +/- 48.32 microg/L) (P < 0.001). Premenopausal FPHL patients turned out to show much lower serum ferritin than age/sex-matched controls (P < 0.001). Among MPHL patients, 22.7% of them showed serum FC lower than 70 microg/L, while no one had serum FC lower 70 microg/L in healthy age matched males. These results suggest that iron may play a certain role especially in premenopausal FPHL. The initial screening of iron status could be of help for hair loss patients.