Validation of the Skindex-17 quality of life assessment instrument for a Brazilian population

Abstract Background: Health-related quality of life assesses how diseases affect the daily life of people; there are several generic instruments for this assessment in dermatology. Skindex was created in 1996; it is a multidimensional instrument, aiming to encompass some psychological and social aspects not yet addressed by other questionnaires. Among its versions (Skindex-29, 16, and 17), Skindex-17 had not been validated in Brazil. Objectives: To validate Skindex-17 for use in Brazilians with dermatological diseases. Methods: This was a methodological, cross-sectional, and prospective study of 217 patients attended at the Dermatology Service Outpatient Clinic, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Botucatu, SP, Brazil), from December 2017 to September 2019. The following were evaluated: content validity, filling time, internal consistency, dimensional structure, concurrent validity (DLQI), temporal stability, and responsiveness. Results: The sample consisted of 71% women, mean age (SD) of 45 (16) years; phototypes II−IV accounted for 95% of the cases. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.82 and 0.93 for the symptoms and psychosocial conditions, respectively. A high correlation was observed with the DLQI score: symptoms (rho = 0.69) and psychosocial conditions (rho = 0.75). The instrument's two-dimensional structure was confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis. Temporal stability (ICC > 0.9) and score responsiveness (p ≤ 0.02) were verified. The instrument was shown to be feasible in clinical practice due to the content validation performed by professionals and patients, as well as the low time spent completing it (< 5 min). Study limitations: Single-center study, with patients exclusively from the public healthcare system. Conclusions: Skindex-17 was shown to be a valid and consistent instrument for assessing quality of life among patients with dermatological diseases, in Brazil. Its two-dimensional structure was confirmed.

Extensive pyoderma gangrenosum-like lesions revealing a case of hyperzincemia and hypercalprotectinemia: when to suspect it?

Abstract Hyperzincemia and hypercalprotectinemia is a rare inflammatory disease caused by a mutation in the PSTPIP1 gene, with a dysregulation of calprotectin metabolism. Calprotectin is a zinc-binding protein with antimicrobial properties and pro-inflammatory action. The authors report the case of a 20 year-old girl with cutaneous ulcers comparable with pyoderma gangrenosum, growth failure and chronic anemia, who was given the diagnosis of hyperzincemia and hypercalprotectinemia. Measurement of serum zinc and calprotectin concentrations are indicated in these cases.

Paracoccidioidomycosis manifested by sarcoidosis-like cutaneous lesions and caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis sensu stricto (S1a)

Abstract: Molecular studies have shown more than one species of the genus Paracoccidioides to be the causal agent of paracoccidioidomycosis. Efforts have been made to correlate the identified species with epidemiological and clinical data of patients, aiming to determine the real meaning and impact of new species. Bearing this objective in mind, the authors report a clinical case of paracoccidioidomycosis, from São Paulo state, Brazil, that manifested as uncommon sarcoid-like cutaneous lesions and was caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis sensu stricto (S1a). The patient was treated with itraconazole 200mg/day for 12 months, with complete clinical remission.

Demodicosis as treatment complication of amicrobial pustulosis of the folds

Abstract: Amicrobial pustulosis of the folds is a chronic relapsing neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by sterile pustules compromising skin folds, scalp, face and periorificial regions. It predominantly affects women. Demodicosis is an inflammatory disease associated with cutaneous overpopulation of the mite Demodex spp., the pathogenesis of which is not completely established, but is frequently related to local immunodeficiency. A case of a young woman with amicrobial pustulosis of the folds, and isolated worsening of facial lesions, is reported; investigation revealed overlapping demodicosis. There was complete regression of lesions with acaricide and cyclin treatment. This case warns of a poorly diagnosed but disfiguring and stigmatizing disease, often associated with underlying dermatoses or inadvertent treatments on the face.

Suppression of wheal and flare in histamine test by the main H1 antihistamines commercialized in Brazil

Abstract: Background: Several dermatoses are mediated by histamine, such as urticaria, angioedema, and papular urticaria. There are no Brazilian studies comparing the potency of antihistamines. Objectives: To evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of the main commercial brand and generic H1 antihistamines, regarding the suppression of the wheal and flare to the histamine test. Methods: A quasi-experimental, open study with 10 healthy adults submitted to the histamine test on the ventral aspect of the forearms. After 20 minutes, wheal and flares were measured. The tests were performed after two hours of intake of dexchlorpheniramine, hydroxyzine, levocetirizine, fexofenadine, cetirizine, loratadine, ebastine, desloratadine, epinastine and rupatadine, as well as generics of loratadine, cetirizine and fexofenadine. Results: All antihistamines presented a reduction in the wheal compared to the control (p <0.02), as well as in the flare, except for rupatadine (p = 0.70). In the internal comparison, cetirizine, fexofenadine, epinastine, levocetirizine, dexchlorpheniramine and hydroxyzine were the most potent, with no difference between them (p > 0.1). As for halo, cetirizine, epinastine, hydroxyzine and fexofenadine were the most potent, with no difference between them (p > 0.1). The most common adverse effect was drowsiness, which was more prevalent among first-generation drugs (p < 0.01). Generic loratadine, fexofenadine and cetirizine halos were higher than their controls (p <0.03).. Study limitations: A single-center study evaluating only aspects related to histamine. Conclusions: Brazilian commercial antihistamines presented different profiles of inhibition of wheal and flares in the histamine test, as well as adverse effects. Generic loratadine, fexofenadine and cetirizine presented larger flares than brand drugs.

Incidence of skin diseases diagnosed in a public institution: comparison between 2003 and 2014

Abstract Epidemiology of diseases is influenced by population socio-demographic circumstances. Therefore it can be modified along the time. There are no studies exploring epidemiological transition in dermatology. This study investigated the incidence of dermatoses in new patients from a Brazilian country town public service in 2003 and 2014. There was a significant increase in the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, leprosy, melasma, pruritus and hidradenitis suppurativa. However, a prominent reduction in scheduling of appointments for surgeries of benign lesions, drug reactions, urticaria and superficial mycoses was detected. The identification of epidemiological trends guides the dimensioning of health system and professional qualification policies.

Síndrome de Ehlers-Danlos, variante clássica: apresentação de um caso e revisão da literatura / Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Classical variant: presentation of A case and literature review

Contexto: Síndrome de Ehlers-Danlos compreende um grupo de doenças hereditárias caracterizadas pela fragilidade da pele, ligamentos, vasos sanguíneos e órgãos internos. Decorre de diferentes defeitos genéticos na via de biosíntese do colágeno, resultando em alterações na síntese e estrutura do tecido conjuntivo. Estima-se sua prevalência em 1:5.000 nascidos vivos. Descrição do caso: Mulher, de 24 anos, com aumento da mobilidade articular, da elasticidade cutânea e tendência à formação de cicatrizes atróficas após mínimos traumas desde a infância, tem avô com queixas semelhantes. Exame fundoscópico, cardiológico e ultrassonografia abdominal sem alterações. Estabeleceu-se o diagnóstico de síndrome de Ehlers-Danlos, variante clássica. Discussão: A classificação de Villefranche considera as alterações genéticas da síntese dos colágenos tipo I, III e/ou V, para subdividir a síndrome nas variantes: clássica, hipermobilidade articular, vascular, cifoescoliose, artocalásia, dermatosparaxia. A variante clássica decorre de mutações no colágeno V e é caracterizada pela tríade de hipermobilidade articular, hiperextensibilidade e cicatrizes atróficas, bem como apresentada pela paciente em questão. Conclusões: Cabe ao médico suspeitar e reconhecer a síndrome, uma vez que algumas variantes apresentam risco inclusive de morte. Esses pacientes necessitam de acompanhamento multiprofissional, com cardiologista, oftalmologista, dermatologista, reumatologista e fisioterapeuta, tendo em vista o comprometimento multissistêmico infligido pela doença.