Cardiovascular events associated with thalidomide and prednisone in leprosy type 2 reaction

Abstract Background: Thalidomide is the drug of choice for the treatment of type 2 leprosy reactions and is often associated with corticosteroids. The use of these drugs in multiple myeloma is associated with the risk of cardiovascular events, but there have been few studies assessing this risk in leprosy patients. Objective: To evaluate the occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients with multibacillary leprosy and their correlation with the use of thalidomide and prednisone. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study of all patients diagnosed with multibacillary leprosy treated at the Dermatology Service between 2012 and 2022, using electronic medical records. Thromboembolic vascular events, both arterial and venous, including acute myocardial infarction, were considered. The main independent variable was the concomitant use of thalidomide and prednisone during follow-up. Results: A total of 89 patients were included, of which 19 used thalidomide and prednisone concomitantly. There were five cardiovascular events (26.3%), three of which of deep venous thrombosis. The combined use of medications was associated with the events (PR = 6.46 [3.92 to 10.65]; p<0.01). Study limitations: Small number of events, single-center retrospective study. Conclusion: The hypothesis of an association between cardiovascular events and the concomitant use of thalidomide and prednisone is supported, but more robust prospective studies are required for a better assessment.

Contribution to characterization of skin field cancerization activity: morphometric, chromatin texture, proliferation, and apoptosis aspects,

Abstract Background: A skin field cancerization is a cutaneous area with subclinical changes resultant from chronic sun exposure, with a higher predisposition to development of pre-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. So far, there are no well-defined objective parameters that can indicate their degree of activity. Objectives: To describe and compare morphometric aspects and expression of factors related to apoptosis and cell proliferation in actinic keratosis (AK), in both photoexposed and photoprotected epidermis. Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients with actinic keratosis in the forearms, biopsied at two points: the actinic keratosis and the axillary region. The biopsies of the actinic keratosis, perilesional area, and axilla were evaluated through keratinocyte intraepithelial neoplasia (KIN), and immunohistochemistry of p53, survivin, and Ki67. Nuclear morphometry of basal layer cells was performed through digital image analysis: entropy, area, perimeter, Ra, fractal dimension, circularity, color intensity, and largest diameter. Results: There were 13 patients included and 38 actinic keratosis biopsied. In morphometry, 1039 nuclei were analyzed, of which 228 represented axillary skin, 396 demonstrated actinic keratosis, and 415 represented the perilesional area to the actinic keratosis. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in all variables tested for the topographies evaluated. A significant correlation was identified between nucellar morphometric elements, KIN, proliferation markers, and apoptosis. Joint patterns of p53, Ki67, and KIN discriminated the topographies sampled. Study limitations: This was a cross-sectional study with a small number of patients. Conclusions: There are patterns of proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, and different cellular morphometrics between photoprotected skin and photoexposed skin. The joint expression of p53, Ki67, and KIN can characterize skin field cancerization activity.

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.

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.

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.

Initial basal cell carcinomas diagnosed in the National Campaign for Skin Cancer Prevention are smaller than those identified by the conventional medical referral system

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma is the malignant tumor most often diagnosed in the National Campaign for Skin Cancer Prevention (NCSCP). Little is known about the profile of these lesions compared to the profile of lesions diagnosed by conventional routes of public dermatological care. OBJECTIVE: To identify if basal cell carcinomas identified in prevention campaigns and referred to surgery are smaller than those routinely removed in a same medical institution. METHODS: Cross-sectional study including tumors routed from 2011-2014 campaigns and 84 anatomopathological reports of outpatients. RESULTS: The campaigns identified 223 individuals with suspicious lesions among 2,531 examinations (9%), with 116 basal cell carcinomas removed. Anatomopathological examinations revealed that the primary lesions identified in the national campaigns were smaller than those referred to surgery by the conventional routes of public health care (28 [13-50] x 38 [20-113] mm2, p <0.01). On the other hand, after a mean follow-up of 15.6 ± 10.3 months, 31% of cases identified in campaigns showed new basal cell carcinoma lesions. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Retrospective study and inaccuracies in the measurements of the lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The NCSCP promotes an earlier treatment of basal cell carcinomas compared to patients referred to surgery by the conventional routes of public health care, which can result in lower morbidity rates and better prognosis.

Incidence, clinical manifestations and clipping of nail psoriasis in the dermatology center of the Hospital Universitário Evangélico de Curitiba

Abstract: Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that often progresses with nail alterations. It is suspected that there is a correlation between nail psoriasis and enthesitis of the distal interphalangeal joint, seeming to serve as a predictor. Objectives: To analyze the profile of patients with nail psoriasis and correlate the presence of nail alterations with psoriatic arthritis, quality of life, extent of psoriasis and the histopathology of the nail. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study with 40 patients with a diagnosis of psoriasis and without systemic treatment. The patient profile was researched, including quality of life and evaluated for the presence of psoriatic arthritis. The severity of the skin psoriasis and the presence of nail lesions were evaluated. Nail fragments were collected and analyzed through clipping. It obtained 100% of positivity for psoriasis in the histopathology exam of the nail plate. Results: Of the 40 patients, 65% were diagnosed with nail psoriasis. Suggestive findings of psoriatic arthritis in hands were present in 33%, being more frequent in those with nail alteration (p = 0.01). In 92.3% of patients diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in the hands there was some nail injury. The most frequent injuries were pitting and onycholysis. Conclusions: Patients with nail psoriasis are usually men, with worse quality of life and higher chance of psoriatic arthritis. The correlation between the nail involvement of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in hands confirms the association between these two forms. The clinical diagnosis of nail psoriasis did not correlate with the histological diagnosis.

Nuclear morphometry and chromatin textural characteristics of basal cell carcinoma

Abstract: Histological subtypes of basal cell carcinoma have biological, evolutionary and distinct prognostic behavior. The analysis of characteristics of the nucleus can provide data on their cellular physiology and behavior. The authors of this study evaluated nuclear morphological parameters and textural patterns of chromatin from different subtypes of basal cell carcinoma: nodular (n=37), superficial (n=28) and sclerodermiform (n=28). The parameters were compared between neoplasms' subtypes and with unaffected adjacent basal epithelium. Nuclear area and diameter of sclerodermiform neoplasms were superior to the other subtypes. Chromatin's color intensity and fractal dimension were less intense in superficial subtypes. Nuclear roundness and chromatin's entropy presented lower values in tumors than in normal epithelium. There was significant correlation between morphological and textural variables of normal skin and tumors. Morphometric elements and textural chromatin's homogeneity of basal cell carcinomas may be related to evolutionary, biological and behavior particularities related to each histotype.

Keratosis pilaris and prevalence of acne vulgaris: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris has an important genetic predisposition, as well as keratosis pilaris. Clinical observations suggest that patients with keratosis pilaris have less frequent or less severe acne breakouts; however, we found no studies on this regard OBJECTIVE: To determine if the presence of keratosis pilaris is associated with lower prevalence and severity of acne. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with dermatology outpatients aged between 14 and 35 years. We evaluated history and clinical grade of acne, demographic variables, history of atopy, smoking, and use of hormonal contraceptives. Two groups were defined by the presence or absence of moderate to severe keratosis pilaris on the arms and were compared by bivariate analysis and by conditional multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: We included 158 patients (66% women), with a median age of 23±11 years. Twenty-six percent of them had keratosis pilaris, which was associated with a history of atopy (odds ratio [OR]=2.80 [1.36 to 5.75]; p<0.01). Acne was present in 66% of subjects, and was related to family history of acne (OR=5.75 [2.47 to 13.37]; p<0.01). In bivariate and multivariate analysis, the group with keratosis pilaris had a less frequent history of acne (OR=0.32 [0.14 to 0.70]; p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The presence of moderate to severe keratosis pilaris on the arms was associated with lower prevalence of acne vulgaris and lower severity of facial lesions in adolescents and young adults. .

Condilomas acuminados genitais em crianças: série de 10 casos / Acuminate genital condyloma in children: 10 case series

Introdução: A ocorrência de verruga genital (condiloma acuminados) em crianças é uma condição relativamente rara, porém está associada a significativo estresse em familiares e cuidadores devido a possível associação com abuso sexual.Objetivos: Verificar o padrão clínico e demográfico dos casos de condiloma acuminado genital em crianças atendidas em serviço público de dermatologia.Tipo de estudo e local: Estudo retrospectivo descritivo conduzido em ambulatório público de dermatologia pediátrica.Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo descritivo de casos de condiloma acuminado genital em menores de 12 anos de idade atendidas entre 2003 e 2012 em ambulatório público de dermatologia pediátrica. Foram excluídos casos que não apresentavam confirmação histológica, ou não realizaram acompanhamento terapêutico na instituição.Resultados: Foram incluídos 10 casos. Houve predomínio do sexo feminino e a idade ao diagnóstico variou de 2 a 11 anos. As áreas mais acometidas, em ordem decrescente, foram a perianal, a glútea e os grandes lábios. Ocorreram três relatos de abuso sexual. Após acompanhamento de 1 a 16 meses com média de 5,8 meses, 6/10 pacientes apresentavam-se sem lesões.Conclusões: O condiloma acuminado genital foi mais frequente em meninas, esteve associado ao histórico de abuso sexual em 30% dos casos e apresentou boa resposta terapêutica de um modo geral.

General aspects of drug interactions with systemic antifungals in a retrospective study sample / Aspectos gerais de interações medicamentosas com antifúngicos sistêmicos em um estudo amostral retrospectivo

A retrospective study evaluating hepatic laboratory alterations and potential drug interactions in patients treated for onychomycosis. We evaluated 202 patients, 82% female. In 273 liver enzyme tests, there were changes in only 6%. Potential drug interactions were identified in 28% of patients for imidazole and 14% for terbinafine. The risk of potential interactions increased with the patient's age and use of multiple drugs.

Estudo retrospectivo avaliando alterações laboratoriais hepáticas e potenciais interações medicamentosas em pacientes tratados para onicomicose. Foram avaliados 202 pacientes, sendo 82% do sexo feminino. Em 273 exames de enzimas hepáticas, houve alterações em apenas 6%. Potenciais interações medicamentosas foram identificadas em 28% dos pacientes para imidazólicos e 14% para terbinafina. O risco de interações potenciais aumentou com a idade do paciente e o uso de múltiplas medicações.