Clinical manifestations and quality of life in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: survey of participants from an internet support group

Abstract: Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a complex and infrequent autoinflammatory disease that impacts on quality of life. Its pathogenesis is not fully understood, which limits the development of curative treatments. Objectives: To evaluate clinical and quality of life aspects of hidradenitis suppurativa patients from a social group on the Internet. Methods: A cross-sectional, Internet-based survey study among participants in a discussion group (Facebook) of individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa. Patients were asked to answer a questionnaire about clinical-demographic aspects and quality of life (DLQI-BRA). Results: A total of 390 individuals agreed to participate in the study, 82% of them female, median age (p25-p75), of 31 (25-37) years old, disease onset at 15 (13-23) years, family member affected in 20% of cases, overweight (BMI 29 [25-33]) kg/m2 and severe impact on quality of life (DLQI 20 [13-25]). Regarding Hurley's classification, the participants provided information that enabled classification into: I (19%), II (52%) and III (29%). More severe cases were associated with males (OR = 1.69), higher weight (BMI: OR = 1.03) non-white color (OR = 1.43) and higher frequency of other autoinflammatory diseases (OR = 1.37). Study limitations: Voluntary adherence survey with self-completion of the questionnaire by 390 from about 1600 group members. Conclusions: Hidradenitis suppurativa patients who participated in a social network group had onset of the disease after puberty, with a predominance in females and overweight people, with great impact on the quality of life.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic Liver: New Perspectives in Diagnostic Imaging.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most common cause of cancer-relared death in the world. It incidence is expected to increase in the next decades. It is incrasingly being detected at an earlier stage, owing to the implementation of screening programs and regular follow-up imaging in high risk populations. Thus, it becomes essential to differentiate it from benign or pre-malignant nodules, as it has distinct therapeutic and prognostic implications. More recently, liver-specific contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have become available, such as gadoxetic acid. They have improved lesion detection and characterization of liver injury, when compared to gadolinium-based contrast agents used in recent decades. The authors present a review of the imaging of hepatic nodules in the cirrhotic liver (regenerative, dysplastic and HCC), emphasizing the role of MRI and new contrast agents in the characterization of HCC and its differentiation from other focal lesions.