Relação entre aspectos psicossomáticos e psoríase / Relationship between psychosomatic aspects and psoriasis / Relación entre aspectos psicosomáticos y psoriasis

Psoríase é uma dermatose de caráter inflamatório ligado a diversas composições do ser, sendo estas a genética, o sistema imune, o ambiente e o estado mental do paciente, apresentando evidências de ser um quadro clínico multifacetado. A composição da medicina psicossomática empenha-se na relação mental e emocional e do corpo, sendo importante mostrar a relação desta com a psoríase. Por isso, busca-se avaliar as evidências disponíveis na literatura sobre a relação entre a psoríase e os aspectos psicossomáticos. Foi realizado uma a revisão de literatura, por meio de seleção de artigos das base de dados Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (PubMed/Medline), biblioteca virtual em saúde Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciElo), UpToDate e Google acadêmico. A busca por artigos científicos resultou em 20 artigos selecionados. Foi possível concluir, que há estudos fundamentados correlacionando a medicina psicossomática e a psoríase, além de que diversos fatores que afetam a homeostase corporal, provocam alterações nervosas, e consequentemente afetam as células da pele. Além disso, foi encontrado evidências que a estigmatização que os pacientes sofrem influenciam no aumento da gravidade da doença, sendo necessário a realização de um tratamento psico cognitivo-comportamental juntamente com o tratamento dos sinais e sintomas gerais da doença. Desta forma, o presente trabalho pôde olhar para a patologia com um olhar ampliado relacionado ao aspecto mental e emocional o que promove melhor compreensão e as consequências disto são a maior capacidade de intervenção sobre a psoríase.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory dermatosis linked to several compositions of the being, which are genetics, the immune system, the environment and the patient's mental state, that is, it shows evidence of being a multifaceted clinical picture. Since the composition of psychosomatic medicine is committed to the relationship between the mental, emotional, and body, it is important to show its relationship with psoriasis. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the available evidence in the literature on the relationship between psoriasis and psychosomatic aspects. A literature review was conducted by selecting articles from the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (PubMed/Medline), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciElo), UpToDate and Google Scholar databases. The search for scientific articles resulted in 20 selected articles. It was possible to conclude that there are well-founded studies correlating psychosomatic medicine and psoriasis, and that several factors that affect the body's homeostasis cause nervous alterations, and consequently affect the skin cells. Moreover, it was found evidence that the stigmatization that patients suffer influences the increase of the severity of the disease, being necessary the realization of a psycho cognitive-behavioral treatment along with the treatment of the general signs and symptoms of the disease. Thus, the present work could look at the pathology with a broader view related to the mental and emotional aspect, which promotes better understanding and the consequences of this are a greater ability to intervene on psoriasis.

La psoriasis es una dermatosis inflamatoria vinculada a varias composiciones del ser, que son la genética, el sistema inmunitario, el medio ambiente y el estado mental del paciente, es decir, muestra evidencias de ser un cuadro clínico multifacético. Dado que la composición de la medicina psicosomática está comprometida con la relación entre lo mental, lo emocional y el cuerpo, es importante mostrar su relación con la psoriasis. Por lo tanto, se buscó evaluar la evidencia disponible en la literatura sobre la relación entre la psoriasis y los aspectos psicosomáticos. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica seleccionando artículos de las bases de datos Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (PubMed/Medline), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciElo), UpToDate y Google Scholar. La búsqueda de artículos científicos dio como resultado 20 artículos seleccionados. Se pudo concluir que existen estudios bien fundamentados que correlacionan la medicina psicosomática y la psoriasis, y que diversos factores que afectan a la homeostasis del organismo provocan alteraciones nerviosas y, en consecuencia, afectan a las células de la piel. Además, se encontraron evidencias de que la estigmatización que sufren los pacientes influye en el aumento de la gravedad de la enfermedad, siendo necesaria la realización de un tratamiento psico cognitivo- conductual junto con el tratamiento de los signos y síntomas generales de la enfermedad. Así, el presente trabajo pudo contemplar la patología con una visión más amplia relacionada con el aspecto mental y emocional, lo que favorece una mejor comprensión y las consecuencias de ello son una mayor capacidad de intervención sobre la psoriasis.

Differential Regulation of Integrin α5 and ß4 in Normal and Psoriatic Epidermal Keratinocytes

Abstract Psoriasis is a chronic skin inflammation, characterized by impaired differentiation, hyperproliferation of keratinocytes involving pro-inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-13/17A, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ. Among the integrin family, α5 is important for blood vessel formation, and ß4 for proliferation, differentiation of keratinocytes. To investigate the expression and regulation of integrin α5 and ß4 in psoriatic keratinocytes. Skin biopsies were obtained from 14 psoriatic patients and 12 normal volunteers. We compared the immunolocalization and regulation of α5 and ß4 between the psoriatic and normal ones, before and after incubation with MEK/ERK pathway inhibitor U0126 by immunohistochemistry and western blot separately. Immunohistochemistry showed psoriatic keratinocytes had higher α5 than normal ones. According to western blot, IL-17A and IL-13 increased normal keratinocytes' α5 and ß4 respectively, but psoriatic keratinocytes were the exact opposite. Incubated with U0126, normal keratinocytes' α5 was enhanced by the 5 cytokines ; while IL-13/17A, IFN-γ suppressed ß4. Psoriatic keratinocytes' α5 was increased by IL-13/17A, decreased by IFN-γ; but ß4 increased by IL-17A, IFN-γ. IL-13/17A, TNF-α, IFN-γ regulate α5 and ß4 through ERK pathway whether normal or psoriasis. The normal and psoriatic keratinocytes respond to the same cytokines differently

Therapeutic effects of the extract of Sancao Formula, a Chinese herbal compound, on imiquimod-induced psoriasis via cysteine-rich protein 61 / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that is prone to recurrence, and the proinflammatory factor, cysteine-rich protein 61 (Cyr61), is important in its pathophysiology. Long-term clinical practice has shown that Sancao Formula (SC), a Chinese herbal compound, is effective in the treatment of psoriasis, but the precise mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we investigate the mechanism by which SC extract alleviates imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis.@*METHODS@#The expression of Cyr61 in psoriatic lesions and normal healthy skin was detected using immunohistochemical analysis to investigate the biological role of Cyr61 in models of psoriatic inflammation. A psoriatic mouse model was established by topical application of IMQ, and the effect of topical application of SC extract was evaluated using the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and histopathological features of the skin. Next, a HaCaT cell inflammation model was established using interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and the effect of SC extract on the mRNA and protein levels of Cyr61 and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was confirmed using Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses.@*RESULTS@#Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of Cyr61 in psoriatic lesions was higher than that in normal skin samples (78.26% vs 41.18%, P < 0.05), and the number of Cyr61-positive cells in psoriatic lesions was also significantly higher than in normal skin (18.66 ± 2.51 vs 4.33 ± 1.52, P < 0.05). Treatment in mice with IMQ-induced psoriasis showed that SC extract could significantly improve the inflammatory phenotype, PASI score (10.875 ± 0.744 vs 3.875 ± 0.582, P < 0.05), and pathological features compared with those in IMQ model group; SC treatment was also associated with decreased levels of Cyr61 and ICAM-1. In the IFN-γ-induced inflammatory cell model, the mRNA and protein levels of Cyr61 and ICAM-1 were upregulated, while the SC extract downregulated the levels of Cyr61 and ICAM-1.@*CONCLUSION@#The results provide a theoretical basis for the involvement of Cyr61 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, and suggest that SC should be used to target Cyr61 for the prevention of psoriasis recurrence.

Psoriasis paradójica palmoplantar secundaria al tratamiento de la colitis ulcerosa con adalimumab / Paradoxical psoriasis of the palms and soles due to treatment of ulcerative colitis with adalimumab

Los anticuerpos anti-TNF-a (tumor necrosis factor alpha) se utilizan para tratar tanto la psoriasis como la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII). Sin embargo, estos fármacos han sido implicados en la ocurrencia de la psoriasis paradójica en los pacientes sin antecedentes de psoriasis que reciben tratamiento por una colitis ulcerosa (CU) y otras enfermedades autoinmunes. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 29 años, sin antecedentes de dermatosis, que desarrolló una psoriasis palmoplantar paradójica por el uso del adalimumab que recibía por un diagnóstico de CU. El cuadro remitió al suspender el medicamento y recurrió al reiniciarlo, motivo por el cual se rotó al ustekinumab. La CU respondió satisfactoriamente, sin nuevas lesiones dermatológicas.

Anti TNF-a (tumor necrosis factor alpha) antibodies are used to treat both psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, these drugs have been implicated in the occurrence of the so-called paradoxical psoriasis in patients with no previous history of psoriasis, who receive treatment for ulcerative colitis and other autoimmune diseases. We present a 29-year-old male patient, with no previous history of dermatosis, who developed paradoxical palmar-plantar psoriasis due to the use of adalimumab that he was receiving for a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. The condition remitted when the drug was suspended and recurred when it was restarted, and for that reason, treatment was rotated to ustekinumab. Ulcerative colitis responded satisfactorily, with no new dermatological lesions.

Clinical characteristics and associations of palmoplantar pustulosis: an observational study

Abstract Background: Palmoplantar pustulosis is a chronic and relapsing disease of the palms and soles, which is characterized by scattered clusters of pinhead-sized, sterile pustules. Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine demographic features, co-morbidities, and relation of palmoplantar pustulosis with psoriasis. Methods: A total of 48 patients (M/F: 15/33) were enrolled in the present study. A detailed history regarding age of onset, palmoplantar pustulosis duration, number of recurrences, personal and family history of psoriasis, accompanying arthritis, sternoclavicular tenderness, dental fillings, smoking status, and autoimmune disease was obtained; thorough dermatological examination was carried out. Patch testing results and laboratory investigations for thyroid autoimmunity were recorded. Results: Thirty-five of 48 patients (72.9%) were current smokers. Twenty of the 48 patients (41.7%) had dental fillings. There was not any significant correlation between palmoplantar pustulosis duration and dental filling duration (p = 0.170). Psoriasis was not detected in any patients either in history or in dermatological examination. Nail involvement and joint complaints were observed in seven of 48 patients (14%) and in nine of 48 patients (18%), respectively. Autoimmune thyroiditis was observed in four of 48 patients (12%). Patients with patch testing positivity (12.5% of patients, M/F: 1/5) had no considerable association for history of external contact with these materials. Study limitations: Retrospective analysis. Conclusion: Palmoplantar pustulosis appears to be a distinct entity from psoriasis. Routine thyroid functions test could be analyzed, but patch testing is not required in patients with palmoplantar pustulosis. Also, patients with palmoplantar pustulosis must be evaluated for musculoskeletal symptoms and signs.

Acrodermatitis continua de Hallopeau y artritis psoriática: reporte de caso / Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau and psoriatic arthritis: a case report

Un hombre de 44 años, previamente sano, consultó por poliartralgias asimétricas de características inflamatorias de tres meses de evolución, que comprometió pequeñas y grandes articulaciones. Poco tiempo después desarrolló pústulas periungueales sobre una base eritematosa y degeneración progresiva de la lámina ungueal del pulgar izquierdo, limitando severamente su funcionalidad. Destacó al examen físico la presencia de placas eritemato-escamosas y pustulosas bien delimitadas en el primer y tercer dedo de la mano izquierda con onicodistrofia severa, que fue un aspecto clave para establecer el diagnóstico de acrodermatitis continua de Hallopeau. Adicionalmente, se observaron otros hallazgos del espectro psoriático: parches eritematosos en el escroto, placas eritemato-escamosas con costras hemorrágicas en ambas rodillas y dactilitis. Se confirmó histológicamente el diagnóstico de psoriasis inversa, psoriasis en placas y psoriasis pustular, respectivamente y con los criterios de Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis, CASPAR, el diagnóstico de artritis psoriática.

A 44-year-old man, previously healthy, consulted for a three-month history of asymmetrical polyarthralgia with inflammatory features involving small and large joints. A few days later, he developed erythema covered by pustules in the nail folds and progressive degeneration of the nail plate of the left thumb, with severe functional limitation. The physical exam showed well-defined erythematous scaly and pustular plaques in the first and third fingers of the left hand, with severe onychodystrophy, which was a key aspect in the diagnosis of acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau. Other signs of the psoriatic spectrum were observed: erythematous patches of the scrotum, erythematous scaly plaques with hemorrhagic crusts on both knees, and dactylitis. The diagnosis of inverse psoriasis, plaque psoriasis, and pustular psoriasis, respectively, were confirmed by histopathology and, with the CASPAR criteria, psoriatic arthritis. This case is of particular dermatological interest due to the variety of psoriatic manifestations recognized in a single patient and because of the poorly described association between acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau with psoriatic arthritis.

Guselkumab in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: effectiveness in real clinical practice / Guselkumab en placa de moderada a grave psoriasis: eficacia en la práctica clínica real

Introducción: La psoriasis es una enfermedad cutánea inflamatoria crónica inmunomediada que afecta a casi el 1-2% de la población mundial. El tratamiento biológico de la psoriasis moderada a grave ha cambiado el paradigma de manejo de la enfermedad, permitiendo un mejor control de la misma. Métodos: Se llevo a cabo un estudio observacional retrospectivo que incluyó a pacientes con psoriasis moderada a grave que fueron tratados durante al menos 36 semanas con guselkumab. La eficacia se evaluó mediante la estimación de pacientes que alcanzaron las respuestas PASI 75, PASI 90 y PASI 100 en las semanas 16, 24 y 36. Se utilizó la prueba T de Student para muestras pareadas para determinar la significación estadística entre PASI al inicio y respuesta PASI en las semanas 16, 24 y 36. Resultados: Se incluyeron 22 pacientes, 14 mujeres (63, 6%), con una edad media de 48, 7 ± 15, 5 años. El tratamiento con guselkumab redujo el PASI medio de 10, 3 ± 6 al inicio del estudio a 2, 4 ± 2 (p = 0,003), 1, 3 ± 1, 8 (p = 0,001) y 0, 3 ± 0, 6 (p = 0,001) a las 16, 24 y 36 semanas, respectivamente. Discusión: El primer fármaco en unirse al arsenal terapéutico anti-IL23 fue guselkumab. La eficacia obtenida fue superior a la observada en estudios fase III para PASI 90 y 100 a la semana 36. Existen algunos estudios que han evaluado la eficacia a corto plazo de guselkumab en la práctica clínica real; sin embargo, este fármaco se ha comercializado recientemente, limitando la posibilidad de evaluación durante períodos de tiempo más prolongados. Conclusión: Guselkumab presenta buenos resultados en el manejo de la psoriasis en adultos. La práctica clínica real a medio y largo plazo será fundamental, con un mayor tamaño muestral y período de seguimiento.

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic immune­ mediated inflammatory skin disease that affects nearly 1­2% of the population worldwide. Biologic treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis has changed the disease management paradigm, allowing for better disease control. Methods: A retrospective observational study including patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who were treated for at least 36 weeks with guselkumab. Efficacy was evaluated by estimating the proportion of patients achieving PASI 75, PASI 90 and PASI 100 responses at weeks 16, 24 and 36. The Student t-test for paired samples was used to determine the significant difference in outcome of patients between PASI at baseline and PASI response at weeks 16, 24 and 36. Reslts: 22 patients were included, 14 women (63.6%), with mean age of 48.7±15.5. Guselkumab treatment decreased mean PASI from 10.3±6 at baseline to 2.4±2 (p=0.003), 1.3±1.8 (p=0.001) and 0.3±0.6 (p=0.001) at 16, 24 and 36 weeks, respectively. Discussion: The first anti-IL23 drug family to join the therapeutic arsenal is guselkumab. The efficacy obtained is higher than that observed in phase III studies for PASI 90 and 100 at week 36. There are some studies that have evaluated the short-term effectiveness of guselkumab in real clinical practice; however, this drug has only recently been marketed, limiting the possibility of as yet longer treatment periods. Conclusion: Guselkumab shows great results in the management of psoriasis in adults. Medium- and long-term real clinical practice will be essential, with a larger sample size and longer follow-up period.

Effectiveness of short-term physical agents treatment on macroscopic morphology in patients with plaque psoriasis / Efectividad del tratamiento a corto plazo de los agentes físicos en la morfología macroscópica de las placas de psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that presents skin rashes which can arise through plaques. The aim of this work was to compare the effectiveness of short-term physical agents treatment on macroscopic morphology (area and erythema) in patients with plaque psoriasis. This prospective randomized experimental study included fourteen subjects, medically diagnosed with psoriasis, with more than one plaque in the skin and voluntarily without topical treatment. All subjects completed the study that consisted of 12 treatment sessions divided in control (C), artificial balneotherapy (AB), phototherapy (PT) or balneophototherapy (BPT) groups. After session 12, there was a significant reduction of the plaque area by all treatments when compared to C group and BPT was the most effective one. However, only AB and PT presented a reduction of erythema. Regarding severity, 9 patients changed to a lower category on the PASI test, and 5 of them maintained a mild psoriasis, but lowered their score. Finally, 13 of 14 subjects improved their quality of life. The physical agents used reduced the severity of psoriasis and improved quality of life of patients after 12 sessions of treatment during a onemonth period. The BPT was the more effective in controlling psoriasis by diminishing its area and PT by attenuating the erythema.

La Psoriasis es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica que presenta irritación cutánea que puede derivar a placas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue comparar la efectividad del tratamiento a corto plazo con agentes físicos en la morfología macroscópica (área y eritema) en pacientes con placas de psoriasis. Estudio experimental, prospectivo, randomizado. Catorce sujetos participaron con diagnóstico médico de psoriasis, con más de una placa en la piel y sin tener tratamiento tópico de forma voluntaria. Todos los sujetos completaron el estudio, el cual consistió de 12 sesiones de tratamiento dividido en grupo control (C), BA, FT y BFA. Posterior a la sesión 12, se observó una reducción significativa en toda el área de las placas que recibieron tratamiento al compararlas al grupo C y el grupo BFA fue el más efectivo. Sin embargo, solo los grupos BA y FT presentaron una reducción del eritema. Respecto a la severidad, 9 pacientes cambiaron de la baja categoría en el test de PASI y 5 de ellos se mantuvieron en el nivel medio, pero disminuyeron su puntaje. Finalmente, 13 de 14 sujetos mejoraron su calidad de vida. Los agentes físicos usados redujeron la severidad de la psoriasis y mejoraron la calidad de vida de los pacientes después de 12 sesiones de tratamiento durante el período de un mes. La BFA fue la más efectiva en controlar la psoriasis por la disminución en el área y la FT por la atenuación del eritema.

Lack of association between mutation in IL36RN and palmoplantar pustular psoriasis in Chinese patients

Abstract Background: Palmoplantar pustulosis is considered to be a localized pustular psoriasis confined to the palms and soles. Mutation of the IL36RN gene, encoding interleukin-36 receptor antagonist (IL-36Ra), is associated with generalized pustular psoriasis, but IL36RN mutations in Chinese palmoplantar pustulosis patients have not previously been investigated. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the mutation of IL36RN in Chinese patients with palmoplantar pustulosis. Methods: Fifty-one Han Chinese patients with palmoplantar pustulosis were recruited. All exons and exon-intron boundary sequences of IL36RN were amplified in polymerase chain reactions, and Sanger sequencing of the amplicons was performed. Results: Among the 51 palmoplantar pustulosis patients, four different single-base substitutions were identified in nine patients. The mutations were c.140A>G/p.Asn47Ser in five patients, c.258G>A/p.Met86IIe in two patients, and c.115+6T>C and c.169G>A/p.Val57IIe in one patient each. All mutations were heterozygous. Comparison with the human genome database and reported literature suggested that these variants may not be pathogenic mutations causing palmoplantar pustulosis. Furthermore, there was no difference in disease severity, onset age, or disease duration between patients with these heterozygous IL36RN variants and those without (p > 0.1). Study limitation: Lack of the further evaluation of IL36Ra protein in palmoplantar pustulosis lesions. Conclusions: The four variants of IL36RN identified did not appear to be associated with the specific phenotypes of palmoplantar pustulosis.

Evaluation of the Th17 pathway in psoriasis and geographic tongue

Abstract Background: Psoriasis is a skin-articular disease with unclear etiopathogenesis. It has been suggested that the disease is immune-mediated by T-lymphocytes, predominantly Th17 cells. Similar to psoriasis, geographic tongue is an inflammatory disease with participation of Th17 cells and direct correlation with psoriasis. Objective: To investigate and compare the inflammatory responses and the Th17 pathway in psoriasis and geographic tongue. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with 46 participants that were categorized into three groups: (A) patients with psoriasis vulgaris; (B) patients with geographic tongue and psoriasis; (C) patients with geographic tongue without psoriasis. All patients underwent physical examination, and a skin and oral biopsy for histopathological examination and immunohistochemical analysis with anti-IL6, anti-IL17, and anti-IL23 antibodies. Results: Histological analysis of all lesions showed mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate. However, moderate intensity was prevalent for the patients with geographic tongue and psoriasis and geographic tongue groups. Immunopositivity for the antibodies anti-IL6, anti-IL17, and anti-IL23 revealed cytoplasmic staining, mainly basal and parabasal, in both psoriasis and geographic tongue. Regarding IL-6, in patients with geographic tongue and psoriasis cases the staining was stronger than in patients with geographic tongue without psoriasis cases. IL-17 evidenced more pronounced and extensive staining when compared to the other analyzed interleukins. IL-23 presented similar immunopositivity for both geographic tongue and psoriasis, demonstrating that the neutrophils recruited into the epithelium were stained. Study limitation: This study was limited by the number of cases. Conclusion: The inflammatory process and immunostaining of IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 were similar in geographic tongue and psoriasis, suggesting the existence of a type of geographic tongue that represents an oral manifestation of psoriasis.

Nail clipping in onychomycosis and comparison with normal nails and ungual psoriasis

Abstract: Background: Of all nail disorders seen in dermatology offices, half of them are due to onychomycosis. The main differential diagnosis is nail psoriasis. The objective of this study was to compare the microscopic findings, other than the presence of fungi, in the clipping of onychomycosis versus normal nails and nail psoriasis. Methods: Cross-sectional study of onychomycosis cases, analyzed by clipping and compared with data on normal nails and those with nail psoriasis. Results: Sixty-two onychomycosis samples were compared with 30 normal nails and 50 nails with psoriasis. In onychomycosis, measurement of subungual region, serous lakes, neutrophils and number of layers of parakeratosis are more intense than in psoriasis. Onychocariosis is less common in psoriasis, while bacteria are more frequent. The nail transition zone is more commonly blurred and irregular in onychomycosis. Conclusion: Clipping helps in the differential diagnosis of onychomycosis and nail psoriasis and may be useful even when fungi are not found.

Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis - treatment with drugs of the classic scheme

The Guidelines Project, an initiative of the Brazilian Medical Association, aims to combine information from the medical field in order to standardize producers to assist the reasoning and decision-making of doctors. The information provided through this project must be assessed and criticized by the physician responsible for the conduct that will be adopted, depending on the conditions and the clinical status of each patient.

Psoriasis in moderate grave plaque - immunobiological treatment

The Guidelines Project, an initiative of the Brazilian Medical Association, aims to combine information from the medical field in order to standardize producers to assist the reasoning and decision-making of doctors. The information provided through this project must be assessed and criticized by the physician responsible for the conduct that will be adopted, depending on the conditions and the clinical status of each patient.

Density of mast cells and intensity of pruritus in psoriasis vulgaris: a cross sectional study

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic and prevalent disease, and the associated pruritus is a common, difficult-to-control symptom. The mediators involved in psoriatic pruritus have not been fully established. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate associations between the number of mast cells in psoriatic lesions and the intensity of pruritus. METHODS: 29 patients with plaque psoriasis were recruited. In all participants, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and Body Surface Area were assessed. A questionnaire was administered to obtain clinical information and the Dermatology Life Quality Index. Pruritus was assessed using a visual analog scale and skin biopsies were performed for staining with Giemsa and Immunohistochemistry with C-Kit. RESULTS: Pruritus was observed in 91.3% of our patients. Median VAS was 6 (p25-75: 2-8). The immunohistochemical method revealed a mean of 11.32 mast cells/field and Giemsa staining revealed a mean of 6.72 mast cells/field. There was no correlation between the intensity of pruritus and mast cell count, neither in Immunohistochemistry (p = 0.15; rho = -0.27) nor in Giemsa (p = 0.16; rho = -0.27). Pruritus did not impact on the Dermatology Life Quality Index (p = 0.51; rho = -0.13). STUDY LIMITATIONS: The small sample size may be considered the main limitation of our study. CONCLUSIONS: Although mast cells are mediators of pruritus in many cutaneous diseases, our findings support that psoriatic pruritus is a complex disorder with multifactorial, complex pathophysiology, involving pruritogenic mediators others than mast cells.

Secukinumab para psoriasis en placa / Secukinumab for plaque psoriasis

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los tratamientos biológicos han aparecido como principal alternativa para el manejo de los pacientes con psoriasis en placa que no responden a tratamiento convencional, resultando necesario evaluar su real efectividad y seguridad. MÉTODOS: Realizamos una búsqueda en Epistemonikos, la mayor base de datos de revisiones sistemáticas en salud, la cual es mantenida mediante el cribado de múltiples fuentes de información, incluyendo MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, entre otras. Extrajimos los datos desde las revisiones identificadas, analizamos los datos de los estudios primarios, realizamos un metanálisis y preparamos una tabla de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES: Identificamos 21 revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyeron diez estudios primarios, todos correspondientes a ensayos aleatorizados. Concluimos que secukinumab logra mejoría clínica en pacientes con psoriasis en placa, aunque probablemente se asocia a efectos adversos graves.

INTRODUCTION: Biological treatments have appeared as the main alternative for the management of patients with plaque psoriasis that do not respond to conventional treatment. So, evaluating its actual efficacy and safety is needed. METHODS: We searched in Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies, conducted a meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We identified 21 systematic reviews including ten studies overall, of which all were randomized trials. We concluded secukinumab achieves clinical improvement in patients with plaque psoriasis, although it is probably associated with serious adverse effects.

Knockdown of lncRNA MIR31HG inhibits cell proliferation in human HaCaT keratinocytes

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a complex, chronic inflammatory skin disease with substantial negative effects on patient quality of life. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are able to be involved in multitudes of cellular processes in diverse human diseases. This study aimed to investigate the potential involvement of lncRNA MIR31HG in HaCaT keratinocytes proliferation. RESULTS: The study showed that MIR31HG was significantly elevated in the lesional psoriatic skin compared with normal individuals' skin. Knockdown of MIR31HG inhibited HaCaT keratinocytes proliferation. Flow cytometry analysis showed that siRNA-mediated MIR31HG depletion induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. In addition, MIR31HG expression was found to be dependent on NF-κB activation. CONCLUSIONS: NF-κB activation mediated MIR31HG upregulation plays an important role in the regulation of HaCaT keratinocytes proliferation. It could be a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for psoriasis.

How relevant are vascular endothelial growth factor and intercellular adhesion molecule in the systemic capillary leak syndrome of psoriasis?

Abstract: Psoriasis is a chronic disease, characterized by erythematous scaly lesions, presented in eight different forms: plaques, guttate, pustular, erythrodermic, inverse, nail and scalp psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis. Its development depends on genetic factors, external stimulus and immune response alteration.1 Proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-12 and 23 may also be involved. In the worst cases, systemic complications linked to endothelial alterations may occur. A literature review was conducted for a better understanding of what roles VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule) have, among other cytokines, in systemic capillary leak syndrome, involved in erythrodermic and pustular psoriasis, the most unstable forms of the disease.

Eritrodermia psoriática en un hombre joven: sospechar infección por VIH / Erythrodermic psoriasis in young man: suspect HIV infection

Resumen La infección por VIH puede presentarse con distintas manifestaciones cutáneas, que en algunas ocasiones son consideradas marcadores de infección. Una posible manifestación es la eritrodermia psoriática, que corresponde a una forma generalizada de psoriasis. Presentamos un caso clínico de un hombre joven en que se sospechó una infección por VIH por un cuadro de eritrodermia psoriática confirmada por biopsia, asociado a un sarcoma de Kaposi. Posteriormente, la infección por VIH fue confirmada por serología. Se manejó con terapia antirretroviral, con buena respuesta al mes de tratamiento. La eritrodermia psoriática se puede considerar un marcador cutáneo de infección por VIH cuando ocurre en pacientes previamente sanos o con psoriasis recalcitrante.

HIV infection can be manifested with different skin symptoms, which are sometimes considered infection markers. Erythrodermic psoriasis is a possible manifestation, which is a widespread form of psoriasis. We report a clinical case of a young man suspected of HIV infection due to a psoriatic erythroderma confirmed by biopsies, associated with Kaposi sarcoma. Afterwards, HIV infection was confirmed by serological tests. Antiretroviral therapy was started, with positive response at one month of treatment. Erythrodermic psoriasis can be considered a skin marker of HIV infection when occurs in previously healthy patients or in recalcitrant psoriasis.