Management Outcomes of Hand Dermatitis in a Tertiary Hospital in Southwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Hand dermatitis (HD) is inflammation of the skin of the hands. It ranges in severity and has a significant impact on quality of life (QoL). The physical and psychosocial burden of the disease is comparable with psoriasis in impairment of the QoL of the patient and depression. Quality of life correlates with disease severity. AIM: To evaluate the management outcome of HD with a disease severity tool by the physician and quality of life index. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of a cohort of patients with HD over 24 weeks in the dermatology clinic of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Disease severity and quality of life were measured using the physician global assessment (PGA) and dermatology life quality index (DLQI), respectively. These were re-administered 6 weeks after treatment. Results were collated and analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-seven (13.3%) of 1,329 patients had HD with F/M ratio of 1.2: 1; a mean age of 34.6 ± 7.4 years. Comparing PGA scores at baseline and 6 weeks, a statistically significant improvement was noted P < 0.001. The mean DLQI score at baseline was 10.38 and reduced to 3.02 post-treatment. The difference between the two means of the DLQI was ≥5 from baseline signifying improved quality of life. The domain of symptoms and feelings was the most affected at baseline and most improved afterward. CONCLUSION: HD has a significant impact on its sufferers and this correlates with disease severity. Appropriate management improves disease outcome and patients' quality of life.

Cross-Sectional Study of Trichoscopy Features, Prevalence, Types of Hair Loss and Hair Care Practices at a Lagos Urban Market.

BACKGROUND: Hair loss studies have mostly been clinical with no trichoscopy features of the hair loss documented in Nigeria. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the community prevalence, types of hair loss, trichoschopy features and the risk factors for the observed hair loss types. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of traders (Fitz Patrick's skin types V-VI) at an urban market. The traders were clinically evaluated for hair loss. Sociodemographic, clinical and trichoscopy data were recorded using a study questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Statistics such as means, medians, frequencies, t-test and chi-square test were presented. Levels of significance of all tests was set at, P<0.05%. RESULTS: A total of 307 participants (32.6% male and 67.4% female) with a mean age of 42.7±12.8 years were studied. The prevalence of hair loss was 68.7% (51% in males and 77.3% in females) and the mean age of those with hair loss was 44.8±12.3 years. The pattern of hair loss was patterned, diffuse and localized in 94.3%, 3.8% and 1.9% respectively. The main types of hair loss were androgenetic alopecia (26.9%) and traction alopecia (71.7%). The prevalent hair practices were; braids and weave-on (extensions) in 78.2%, turban-like head gear in 76.9%, and chemical relaxers in 73.8%. Trichoscopy features characteristic of the observed hair loss types were documented. CONCLUSION: Hair loss is common in the community. The common hair care practices and increasing age could be contributors to hair loss.

CONTEXTE: Les études sur la perte de cheveux ont surtout été cliniques et aucune caractéristique trichoscopique de la perte de cheveux n'a été documentée au Nigeria. OBJECTIF: L'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer la prévalence communautaire, les types de perte de cheveux, les caractéristiques de la trichoscopie et les facteurs de risque pour les types de perte de cheveux observés. MÉTHODES: Il s'agissait d'une étude descriptive transversale de commerçants (types de peau V-VI de Fitz Patrick) sur un marché urbain. Les commerçants ont été évalués cliniquement pour la perte de cheveux. Les données sociodémographiques, cliniques et trichoscopiques ont été enregistrées à l'aide d'un questionnaire d'étude. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide de SPSS version 22.0. Des statistiques telles que les moyennes, les médianes, les fréquences, le test t et le test du chi-deux ont été présentées. Le niveau de signification de tous les tests a été fixé à P<0,05%. RÉSULTATS: Un total de 307 participants (32,6% d'hommes et 67,4% de femmes) avec un âge moyen de 42,7±12,8 ans ont été étudiés. La prévalence de la perte de cheveux était de 68,7 % (51 % chez les hommes et 77,3 % chez les femmes) et l'âge moyen des personnes présentant une perte de cheveux était de 44,8±12,3 ans. La perte de cheveux était structurée, diffuse et localisée dans 94,3 %, 3,8 % et 1,9 % des cas respectivement. Les principaux types de perte de cheveux étaient l'alopécie androgénétique (26,9 %) et l'alopécie de traction (71,7 %). Les pratiques capillaires prédominantes étaient les suivantes : tresses et tissage (extensions) dans 78,2 % des cas, coiffure en turban dans 76,9 % des cas et défrisage chimique dans 73,8 % des cas. Les traits trichoscopiques caractéristiques des types de perte de cheveux observés ont été documentés. CONCLUSION: La perte de cheveux est fréquente dans la communauté. Les pratiques courantes de soins capillaires et l'âge croissant pourraient contribuer à cette perte de cheveux. Mots clés: Trichoscopie, Perte de cheveux, Pratique des soins capillaires, Communauté, Africaine, Prévalence.

Covid 19: A Prospective Observational Study on the Cutaneous Manifestations of Patients in Lagos, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 have been documented from Europe, USA, and China but none from Africa to date. Skin findings among Africans differ from Caucasians and it is important to report these in Nigerians with COVID-19. METHODS: A prospective observational review involving patients seen at the Emergency triage, and Isolation wards of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Demographic and clinical data were captured; skin and appendages were examined by a dermatologist between 0800hrs and 1600hours to minimise visual errors of artificial light masking cutaneous lesions. RESULTS: Of 235 participants, 17 (7.23%) had recent onset skin rash, with 7 (41.2%) experienced itching and 11 confirmed with COVID-19. There was a male: female ratio of 97:43 (2.3:1) among COVID-19 patients. Cutaneous findings were seen in 12 (5.1%) participants, with the face and trunk mostly affected and acne plus papular eruptions predominating. There was no significant relationship between COVID-19 and recent onset skin rash (χ2, p = 0.87). Only 2 of the 17 participants had a previously existing dermatoses ((χ2, p = 0.84). There was no significant relation between use of medications and onset of rashes (χ2, p = 0.72) or between those with co-morbidities and onset of rashes (χ2, p = 0.51). CONCLUSION: Cutaneous manifestations were found among Nigerian patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most presented with pruritus and papular eruptions and no morphologic pattern was demonstrated. Physicians and dermatologists need to be aware and look out for skin changes in SARS-CoV-2 infection as they may be early pointers to COVID-19. Keywords: Cutaneous findings, manifestations, Skin, COVID-19, Nigeria.

CONTEXTE: Des manifestations cutanées du COVID-19 ont été documentées en Europe, aux Etats-Unis et en Chine, mais aucune en Afrique à ce jour. Les manifestations cutanées chez les Africains diffèrent de celles des Caucasiens et il est important de les signaler chez les Nigérians atteints de COVID-19. MÉTHODES: Une étude observationnelle prospective impliquant des patients vus au triage des urgences et dans les services d'isolement de l'hôpital universitaire de Lagos. Les données démographiques et cliniques ont été saisies ; la peau et les appendices ont été examinés par un dermatologue entre 8h00 et 16h00 pour minimiser les erreurs visuelles de la lumière artificielle masquant les lésions cutanées. RÉSULTATS: Sur 235 participants, 17 (7,23 %) ont présenté une éruption cutanée d'apparition récente, dont 7 (41,2 %) ont eu des démangeaisons et 11 ont été confirmées par le COVID-19. Il y avait un rapport hommes/femmes de 97:43 (2,3:1) parmi les patients atteints de COVID-19. Des signes cutanés ont été observés chez 12 (5,1 %) participants, le visage et le tronc étant les plus touchés, avec une prédominance de l'acné et des éruptions papuleuses. Il n'y avait pas de relation significative entre le COVID-19 et les éruptions cutanées d'apparition récente (χ2, p = 0,87). Seulement 2 des 17 participants avaient une dermatose déjà existante ((χ2, p = 0,84). Il n'y avait pas de relation significative entre la prise de médicaments et l'apparition d'éruptions cutanées (χ2, p = 0,72) ou entre les personnes présentant des comorbidités et l'apparition d'éruptions cutanées (χ2, p = 0,51). CONCLUSION: Des manifestations cutanées ont été constatées chez les patients nigérians atteints d'une infection par le SRAS-CoV-2. La plupart d'entre eux présentaient un prurit et des éruptions papuleuses et aucun modèle morphologique n'a été mis en évidence. Les médecins et les dermatologues doivent être attentifs et rechercher les modifications cutanées dans l'infection par le SRAS-CoV-2, car elles peuvent être des signes précurseurs du COVID-19. MOTS CLÉS: Résultats cutanés, manifestations, Peau, COVID-19, Nigéria.

Female Androgenetic Alopecia amongst Market Women in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: Studies on androgenetic alopecia in Nigerian females are few. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of female androgenetic alopecia, its severity and trichoscopic features. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of androgenetic alopecia amongst 207 adult female traders at an urban market in Lagos, Nigeria. The study was conducted in February 2020. All recruited female traders were examined. Documentation of clinical findings, sociodemographic data and trichoscopy features was done using a predesigned questionnaire. Severity of female androgenetic alopecia was assessed using the Olsen's scale he IBM statistics software version 22. Results: The prevalence of female androgenetic alopecia (FAGA) was 4.8% (10/207) and median age of the participants was 59 (IQR 45,63) years. The severity of FAGA based on Olsen's scale was grade I, II and III in 30%, 20% and 50% respectively and severity increased with age. Trichoscopy features included prominent white dots (90%), reduced hair density (90%), vellus hairs (70%), preserved honeycomb pigment network (70%) and variable hair diameter (60%). Conclusion: Androgenetic alopecia is uncommon in females. When present, it is noted to be severe. Trichoscopy features among African females in Nigeria are comparable to trichoscopy features in studies from other parts of the world.

Contexte: Les études sur l'alopécie androgénétique chez les femmes nigérianes sont peu nombreuses. Le but de cette étude était de déterminer la prévalence de l'alopécie androgénétique féminine, sa gravité et ses caractéristiques trichoscopiques. Méthodes: Il s'agissait d'une étude descriptive transversale de l'alopécie androgénétique parmi 207 femmes adultes commerçantes sur un marché urbain de Lagos, au Nigeria. L'étude a été menée en février 2020. Toutes les commerçantes recrutées ont été examinées. Les résultats cliniques, les données sociodémographiques et les caractéristiques de la trichoscopie ont été documentés à l'aide d'un questionnaire préétabli. La sévérité de l'alopécie androgénétique féminine a été évaluée à l'aide de l'échelle d'Olsen. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide du logiciel de statistiques IBM version 22. Résultats: La prévalence de l'alopécie androgénétique féminine (AAF) était de 4,8 % (10/207) et l'âge médian des participants était de 59 ans (IQR 45,63). Selon l'échelle d'Olsen, la gravité de l'alopécie androgénique féminine était de grade I, II et III dans 30 %, 20 % et 50 % des cas respectivement, et la gravité augmentait avec l'âge. Les caractéristiques de la trichoscopie comprenaient des points blancs proéminents (90 %), une densité capillaire réduite (90 %), des poils vellus (70 %), un réseau pigmentaire en nid d'abeille préservé (70 %) et un diamètre variable des poils (60 %). Conclusion: L'alopécie androgénétique est peu fréquente chez la femme. Lorsqu'elle est présente, on note qu'elle est sévère. Les caractéristiques de la trichoscopie chez les femmes africaines au Nigeria sont comparables aux caractéristiques de la trichoscopie dans les études d'autres parties du monde. Mots clés: Alopécie androgénétique féminine, Trichoscopie, Prévalence, Gravité, Gradation.

Unravelling the Diagnosis - The Role of Histopathology in Mycosis Fungoides.

Mycosis fungoides is an extra-nodal indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma of T- cell origin that is characterized by skin involvement. The course of the disease is typically slowly progressive with non-specific clinical and histopathologic features which may evade diagnosis for years. Chemo-therapeutic agents to control the disease are effective if employed early, but the prognosis and therapy is dependent on the stage of the disease at presentation. We report a case of a 25-year old man with a clinical diagnosis of Tinea incognito and histologic features of non-specific dermatitis at first presentation. With poor hospital attendance and inconsistent therapy, his clinical features and histology reports over the next couple of years were consistent with psoriasis, then mycosis fungoides. He is currently stable on chemotherapeutic agents. With different histopathology results over a three- year span, it is possible that the patient had both diseases occurring separately. It is also possible that psoriasis was a harbinger of mycosis fungoides and the change in clinical presentation which necessitated repeated biopsies eventually revealed the picture.

Pityriasis amiantacea: a case report.

Pityriasis amiantacea (PA) is a papulosquamous condition of the scalp,characterized by asbestos - like thick scales attached to the hair shaft. It is thought to represent a reaction pattern to inflammatory skin disorders like psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, tinea capitis, atopic dermatitis and lichen planus, rather than a distinctive disease. The scaling may be localised or generalised, depending on the underlying condition and its duration.This report highlights the clinical features of pityriasis amiantacea secondary to atopic dermatitis and the differential features of other papulo-squamous scalp disorders such as scalp psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis and lichen planus.Scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis are the commonest causes of PA as well as the closest differentials hence should be excluded in all cases. The longterm sequelae of PA include scalp fibrosis and permanent hair loss hence should be identified and treated promptly. The management modalities of PA will also be discussed.

Overview of dermatophyte infections at the dermatology outpatient clinic of a tertiary institution in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Dermatophytes are the commonest organisms causing superficial fungal infections. Earlier epidemiologic studies in Nigeria revealed dermatophyte infection as one of the top three reasons for visiting the dermatologists. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency, characteristics and predisposing factors to dermatophyte infections at the dermatology outpatient clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) from March 2003 to September 2009. METHODS: The clinic records and case notes of patients were reviewed. Patients' data which includes demographic details, characteristics of disease, predisposing factors and clinical presentation findings were entered on Excel spreadsheets and analyzed using SPSS 15. Results were displayed using frequency tables. RESULTS: Dermatophyte infections were found in 8.39% of patients attending the dermatology outpatient clinic of LUTH. Tinea pedis was the most frequently seen, occurring in 33.6% of patients; followed by tinea corporis (20%), tinea manuum (18.6%) and tinea capitis (14.8%). Dermatophyte infection was most frequently seen in the 3rd and the 4th decades of life, except tinea capitis seen predominantly in the 1st decade of life and tinea intertrigo in the 5th decade. CONCLUSION: Dermatophyte infections occur at all age groups, although frequency of occurrence differs with age group and site of the body affected.