Percutaneous collagen induction using dermaroller versus 80% trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of atrophic post acne scars: a comparative study

Background: Percutaneous collagen induction [PCI] promotes removal of damaged collagen and induces more collagen immediately under the epidermis. The chemical reconstruction of skin scars [CROSS] method is a focal application of full-concentration trichloroacetic acid [TCA] to atrophic acne scars. The CROSS method has the advantage of reconstructing acne scars by increasing dermal thickening and collagen production

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of PCI and the 80% TCA CROSS method for the treatment of atrophic post acne scars

Patients and Methods: Thirty four participants were randomly divided into two groups; group 1[19 patients] underwent four sessions [4 weeks apart] PCI, and group 2 [15 patients] underwent five sessions [2 weeks apart] of 80% TCA CROSS. The two groups were compared regarding photo evaluation, patient satisfaction and adverse effects

Results: All patients improved in both groups. However, the mean percentage of improvement was statistically significantly higher in the first group treated by the dermaroller [59.89%] than in the second group treated by TCA CROSS 80% [42.73%] [p = 0.025] but there was no statistical significant difference regarding the patient satisfaction

Conclusions: PCI and 80% TCA CROSS were effective in the treatment of atrophic acne scars with superior results were in favor of dermaroller

Study of the impact of viral load of hepatitis C on patients with concomitant psoriasis vulgaris

Concomitant hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection and psoriasis vulgaris [PV] are not uncommon coexisting diseases, especially in areas with high viral hepatitis endemicity. To date, data about the interaction between both diseases are scarce. Therefore, we aimed to describe the possible interplay between the HCV viral load and psoriatic activity in concomitant Egyptian diseased patients. Between December 2011 and August 2013, all psoriatic patients attending Assiut University Hospital outpatient clinics were tested for HCV serologic assay. Patients with positively coexisting diseases were further reevaluated for psoriasis area severity index [PASI] score assessment, liver function tests, HCV-RNA-polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assays, and sonographic examination of the liver. For comparative purposes, another matched group [n = 26] with psoriasis only [HCV-negative group] was enrolled as a control. During the period of the study, 20 patients with concomitant PV and HCV infection [HCV-positive group; 50% males, mean age of 44.15 +/- 10.66 years] were recruited. The mean PASI score was 44.75 +/- 10.38 and clinical signs of liver dysfunction were observed in 40% [n = 8], 100% had abnormal liver function tests [n = 20], and 75% had sonographic findings of cirrhosis [n = 15]. The PASI score was significantly higher in the HCV-positive psoriatic group compared to the HCV-negative control [p < 0.001]. Significant correlations were detected between the PASI score and the viral loads, and also with alanine aminotransferase [ALT]. When HCV was found concomitantly with PV, a high possibility of severe disease pattern will be expected that entails special precautions in the treatment process

study of sexual and reproductive dysfunctions in juvenile onset diabetic men

Diabetes affects an increasingly large number of young men of reproductive age To determine fertility status and to evaluate semen parameters and sexual dysfunction in men having juvenile onset diabetes comparing them to fertile controls. 73 male patients having juvenile onset diabetes mellitus. The study included clinical evaluation, erectile capacity scoring with IIEF-5 score, urine analysis after masturbation, conventional semen analysis and sperm hypoosmotic swelling test of 73 diabetic men and 33 fertile controls. Comparison between diabetic patients and fertile controls in conventional sperm parameters and hypoosmotic sperm swelling percentage [HOS%]. Additionally, assessment of prevalence of infertility, erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction in diabetic patients. There was a significant decrease in percentage of normal sperm morphology among diabetic patients [41.37 +/- 12. 38] than controls [57.27 +/- 8.11] [P < 0.001]. Percentage of progressive sperm motility was significantly lower in diabetic patients [33.42 +/- 13.38] than controls [54.84 +/- 5.92] [P < 0.001]. There was a significant decrease in sperm HOS% among diabetic patients [62.55 +/- 11.69] in comparison to controls [77.36 +/- 8.23] [P < 0.001]. There was no significant difference in sperm concentration [in million sperm/ml] between diabetic patients [69.75 +/- 62.11] and controls [74.55 +/- 50.78]. Similar results were obtained on comparing between fertile and infertile diabetics. Prevalence of infertility was 40%, erectile dysfunction [ED] was 75%, premature ejaculation was 31% and partial retrograde ejaculation was 5%. Diabetic patients had significantly lower normal sperm morphology, progressive sperm motility and hypoosmotic sperm swelling percentages. They had higher round cell number. They also had increased prevalence of infertility, erectile and ejaculatory dysfunctions