Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Among Iraqi Patients With Psoriasis: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide. Several studies have shown that patients with psoriasis have a higher risk of developing NAFLD. Obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cytokine-mediated inflammation might be the link between psoriasis and NAFLD. AIMS: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of NAFLD among psoriatic Iraqi patients and examine the relationship with disease severity using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score and the correlation with different clinical and laboratory parameters. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A case-control study on 130 psoriatic patients and 130 age-, sex-, and BMI-matched healthy controls was conducted at the Department of Dermatology in Basra Teaching Hospital from November 2022 to October 2023. All demographic and clinical data were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire, and NAFLD was diagnosed through a FibroScan examination performed on each participant. The severity of psoriasis was determined using the PASI score. Fasting glucose, liver enzymes, and lipid profile levels were investigated, and metabolic syndrome was identified. RESULTS: The prevalence of NAFLD was significantly higher in our psoriatic patients than in the control group (66.2% vs. 42.3%, OR=2.6, P<0.01). Psoriatic patients were found to have more severe NAFLD than the controls, as evidenced by their steatosis and fibrosis staging (P<0.01). In patients with psoriasis, NAFLD was associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes (17.4%) and metabolic syndrome (55.8%). Furthermore, psoriatic patients with NAFLD had significantly higher values of BMI, waist circumference, PASI score, as well as serum alanine transaminase (ALT), triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and fasting glucose levels. The study also found a significant positive correlation between the psoriasis severity based on PASI and the steatosis score. Metabolic syndrome, PASI, BMI, serum triglycerides, LDL, and age are the independent predictors of NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD is highly prevalent among psoriatic patients affecting more than half of them and closely associated with metabolic syndrome and severity of psoriasis. Routine screening for NAFLD may be necessary in psoriatic patients particularly when considering the use of hepatotoxic drug therapy.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Combined Intralesional Sodium Stibogluconate Plus Topical Imiquimod on Healing and Risk of Scarring of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: A combination treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) that hastens the healing and reduces the chance of scarring, especially in aesthetically receptive sites, is required. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate if a combination of intralesional sodium stibogluconate (SSG) injection and topical imiquimod 5% cream (IMI) accelerates healing and improves the quality of scars from CL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was conducted at Basrah Teaching Hospital, Basrah, southern Iraq from 2017 to 2019 on a cohort of patients with CL. Eligible patients were injected intralesionally with sodium stibogluconate (SSG) weekly for six weeks and randomized to receive either topical imiquimod 5% cream (IMI group) or topical emollient cream (placebo group). The healing rate and scar quality were assessed at week six. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-one patients completed the trial (66 [55%] males, mean age SD: 34.1 years). The clinical healing rate was significantly higher in the IMI group than in the placebo group (94% versus 74%, p <0.05). A high rate of scars was noticed in both groups (66.6% in the IMI group and 91.2% in the placebo group). However, superficial non-atrophic scars were more frequent in the IMI group (40% versus 26%), while deep atrophic scars were more evident in the placebo group than in the IMI group (65.2% versus 26.6%, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Combined intralesional SSG plus topical imiquimod was beneficial in accelerating CL healing and improving scar quality, and should be considered when CL is located in aesthetically sensitive areas.

Burn Hemangioma: A New Variant of Hemangioma.

BACKGROUND: Burn hemangioma, also known as scalded pyogenic granuloma, is considered a variant of pyogenic granuloma, but unlike the classic type it presents with rapid progression. Most patients are infants and young children with a history of burns caused by liquids. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to present all patients with burn hemangiomas treated at our institutions with a full clinical and histopathological assessment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This case series includes 34 cases that were treated during the period from 2016 to 2021. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients (16 female/18 male, mean age of 17.6 years) were included. Two age groups presented: infants and children (n = 22, age range 0.5-8 years, 10 female/12 male), and adults (n = 11, age range 25-44 years, 6 female/6 male). Lesions appeared 1-2 weeks following predominantly second-degree burns, and multiple lesions predominated in infants and children. The lesions evolved to large lesions within weeks, and these appeared to be either static or involute. The histopathology was compatible with hemangioma, rather than pyogenic granuloma. CONCLUSION: Burn hemangioma should be considered a new variant of hemangioma rather than a type of pyogenic granuloma that follows second-degree burns. They have many similarities with infantile hemangioma, both clinically and histopathologically.

A Comparative Clinical and Laboratory Study of Adolescent and Adult Acne in Iraqi Women.

Background Acne vulgaris is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous units associated with long-term sequelae and complications. Currently, acne in women is classified into adolescent and post-adolescent forms. However, comparative studies evaluating the clinical and laboratory parameters across various age groups in women with acne are lacking. The aim of the study is to compare the clinical and laboratory characteristics of different groups of women with acne vulgaris. Patients and methods Over 3 years (2018-2021), a cross-sectional study was carried out on 340 women with acne consulting the Dermatology and Venereology Outpatient Clinic, Basrah Teaching Hospital, Basrah, Iraq. Eligible patients were carefully evaluated and fully examined, emphasizing on signs of hyperandrogenism and scoring of acne severity. Hormonal assays of serum total testosterone (TST), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), and serum prolactin (PRL) were done. Pelvic ultrasonography was performed to identify any pelvic pathology. The patients were classified according to their age of onset. Clinical and laboratory data were compared among groups. Results Three groups were recognized: 160 patients (47%) with adolescent acne (AA) (mean age SD: 17.2±1.6 years), 80 (23.5%) with early adult-onset acne (EA) (mean age SD: 21.4±1.2 years), and 100 (29.4%) with post-adolescent acne (PA) (mean age SD: 28.7±2.9 years), which were further sub-grouped into late-onset acne (40 cases, 11.7%), and persistent acne (60 cases, 17.6%). The mean body mass index was normal in the AA group and overweight in the EA and PA groups. Moderate obesity was more frequent in PA (24%, p=0.03). While 78.5% of AA was mild to moderate acne, 77.5% of EA was moderate to moderately severe, and 72% of PA was moderately severe to severe. Clinical and biochemical markers of hyperandrogenism were seen in all groups, however, they were more frequent in PA and EA groups than in the AA group (p<005). Conclusion Clinical and biochemical hyperandrogenism were present in a significant proportion of women with acne; their prevalence was higher in post-adolescent acne than in adolescent acne. Acne that began between the ages of 20 and 25 was classified as "early adult-onset acne," and showed variable features of hyperandrogenism. A complete evaluation, regardless of age, for every female with acne, including a hormonal analysis and pelvic ultrasound examination to detect hormonal imbalances as early therapy, can help to prevent and reduce the risk of consequences.

Screening for Comorbid Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Pediatric Psoriasis Among Iraqi Patients: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a polygenic multifactorial immune-mediated skin disease associated with comorbidities. As one-third of adult psoriasis starts during childhood, early detection of these comorbidities might help to mitigate their impact on future health. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risk for cardiovascular events and their relationship with psoriasis severity among Iraqi children and adolescents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, case-control, cross-sectional study on 150 patients with psoriasis and 150 age and sex-matched individuals. The study was carried out at the Department of Dermatology/Basra Teaching Hospital from December 2018 to December 2020. Psoriasis severity was assessed by PASI (psoriasis area severity index) score, and in both groups, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) were measured. Laboratory tests including fasting blood sugar (FBS) and lipid profile were also done. RESULTS: More patients were overweight and obese in the psoriatic group compared to the control group (26.7% and 40% versus 11% and 8%), 5.3% of psoriatic patients who had stage 2 hypertension (defined as any blood pressure [BP] measurement higher than 99th plus 5 mm of mercury applied to BP levels for boys and girls by age and height percentile charts), none of the control group was hypertensive, and the difference was statistically significant (p-value<0.05). A significantly higher proportion of the psoriatic patients had abnormal lipid profiles compared with the control group, 62% versus 30% (p<0.05), 15.3% versus 6.7% had elevated cholesterol (p<0.05), 24.7% versus 8% had raised low-density lipoprotein (LDL, p<0.05), 18% versus 8.6% had low high-density lipoprotein (HDL, p<0.05), and 12.6% versus 6% had elevated very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and triglyceride (TG, p<0.05), 8% patients had elevated FBS (more than 100 mg per deciliter) versus 2.6% (p<0.05), and metabolic syndrome in 65 versus 2% (p<0.05). These changes were related to the severity of psoriasis. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric psoriatic patients in our population may have an atherogenic lipid profile with an increased prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, especially those with moderate to severe psoriasis.

Estimation of Zinc and Iron Levels in the Serum and Hair of Women with Androgenetic Alopecia: Case-control Study.

BACKGROUND: Although female androgenetic alopecia (FAGA) occurs in genetically susceptible women, some trace elements may play an important role. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to evaluate serum and hair zinc and iron levels in patients with FAGA and to compare the findings with normal controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A case-control study that was conducted at Dermatology Clinic in Basra General Hospital, Basra, Iraq. The participants were divided into two groups: The first group consisted of 27 women with FAGA and the second was age-matched 28 healthy women control group. The serum and hair zinc and iron assays were done for all participants. RESULTS: Both hair and serum zinc levels in FAGA group were significantly lower than that in the control (103.4±25.5 ppm vs. 143.5±33.1 ppm for hair and 65.6±14.2 µg/dl vs. 128.4±41.4 µg/dl for serum). Hair iron level in FAGA was significantly lower than in control (17.9±3.8 ppm vs. 26.9±7.4 ppm, P>0.05). Serum iron level in FAGA group was lower than in the control, but it was not significant statistically (88.9±22.3 µg/dl vs. 100.9±18.9 µg/dl). Except for the hair iron, there was no significant correlation between zinc and iron concentrations in hair and serum with severity of alopecia. CONCLUSIONS: Zinc and iron levels in serum and hair were lower in FAGA compared to that of normal individuals indicating that trace elements might play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of FAGA.