Prevalence and factors associated with body dysmorphic disorder in women under dermatological care at a Brazilian public institution

Abstract Background: Body dysmorphic disorder consists of excessive concern with minimal appearance defects, which causes functional impairment. Its prevalence is estimated to range from 5% to 35% of dermatological patients, especially adult women with esthetic complaints. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and factors associated with dysmorphic disorder in female dermatological patients, in a public institution in Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving adult women attended at a public dermatological service in Brazil. Participants underwent a demographic survey, in addition to a screening form for body dysmorphic disorder (Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination [BDDE]). The presence of dysmorphic disorder (BDDE > 66 points) was assessed among the participants according to demographic covariates and psychological problems, through logistic regression. Results: A total of 223 women were evaluated. The BDDE showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.90). It is noteworthy the high prevalence of psychological problems and the fact that over one-third (38%) of the sample presented a high degree of dissatisfaction with their image. The prevalence of dysmorphic disorder was 48% among women with esthetic complaints and 30% among the others (p < 0.01). Lower family income (OR = 2.97), history of domestic violence (OR = 3.23), search for dermatological care due to an esthetic complaint (OR = 2.05), and suicidal ideation (OR = 4.22) were independently associated with the occurrence of body dysmorphic disorder. Study limitations: This was a single-center study of a non-randomized sample from public service. Conclusions: Body dysmorphic disorder is prevalent among female dermatological patients; it is associated with traumatic psychological experiences, lower income, affective disorders, and demand for esthetic care. It is essential to recognize the diagnosis in order to treat such patients and refer them for appropriate psychiatric treatment instead of trying to satisfy their esthetic demands.

Criocirurgia com nitrogênio líquido versus ácido tricloroacético no tratamento de verruga peniana por papilomavírus humano (HPV): um ensaio clínico randomizado / Cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen versus trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of human papillomavirus (HPV) penile wart: a randomized controlled trial

Introdução: verrugas anogenitais são a infecção sexualmente transmissível prevalente (0,5%) entre atendimentos dermatológicos. Dentre as estratégias de tratamento, destacam-se a crioterapia com nitrogênio líquido (NL) e causoterapia com ácido tricloroacético (ATA). Objetivo: avaliar a eficácia do NL versus ATA no tratamento de verrugas penianas em pacientes de instituição pública brasileira. Métodos: ensaio clínico aberto, paralelo e randomizado. Em cada visita, as verrugas foram contadas e submetidas à crioterapia (10s) ou à causoterapia (ATA 80%), após randomização. A principal variável dependente foi a contagem de lesões antes e após quatro semanas de tratamento. Foram analisados: eliminação completa, idade, imunossupressão, tabagismo, topografia e escolaridade. Resultados: foram avaliados 142 tratamentos em 52 participantes. Houve predominância de adultos jovens, menor escolaridade, e a principal topografia afetada foi a haste. A redução percentual média por sessão foi 48% para o NL e 26% para o ATA (p=0,11). Clearance completo foi atingido por 42 (81%) participantes, sendo que 39 (75%; IC95%: 64-85%) atingiram o clearance em até três sessões. A idade associou-se à pior taxa de resposta terapêutica (ß=-0,09; p<0,01). Conclusões: NL e ATA mostraram-se eficazes na terapêutica das verrugas penianas, sem diferença entre os tratamentos. A idade foi associada à pior resposta terapêutica.

Background: Anogenital warts are the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (0.5%) among dermatological consultations. Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen (LN) and therapy with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) are remarkable among the treatment strategies. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of LN versus TCA in to treat penile warts in patients from a Brazilian public institution. Methods: Open, parallel, randomized clinical trial. Following randomization, the warts were counted and submitted to cryotherapy (10s) or case therapy (TCA 80%) in each visit. The primary dependent variable was the lesion count before and after four weeks of treatment. We assessed the following variables: complete clearance, age, immunosuppression, smoking, topography, and education. Results: 142 treatments were evaluated in 52 participants. There was a predominance of young adults, and the main topography affected was the penis shaft. The mean reduction rate per session was 48% for LN and 26% for TCA (p=0.11). 42 (81%) participants achieved complete clearance, with 39 (75%; 95% CI: 64-85%) reaching clearance in up to three sessions. Age was associated with a worse therapeutic response rate (ß =-0.09; p<0.01). Conclusions: LN and TCA proved to be effective to treat penile warts, without difference between treatments. Age was associated with a worse therapeutic response