Therapies for hidradenitis suppurativa: a systematic review with a focus on Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with a significant negative impact on the quality of life of patients. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review to assess current treatment for HS, with a special focus on therapies approved or used in Brazil. We used the PICO framework to improve the research process. The systematic review was reported in line with the PRISMA statement checklist. The search was conducted with clinical questions on two global databases (PubMed (MEDLINE) and Google Scholar) and three databases especially selected to retrieve Brazilian outcomes (BVS, SCIELO and REDALYC). RESULTS: Overall, 4640 articles were screened, 182 articles were analysed and 70 were used in a thematic qualitative analysis. Of these, 12 articles were from Brazil. The evidence-based literature was largely limited to case reports, case series, observational studies and expert opinion. Topical therapy, lifestyle interventions and oral antibiotics appeared as effective measures for mild HS. However, moderate-to-severe HS remains refractory to conventional treatments. CONCLUSION: Some biologic agents, such as adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab and secukinumab, have been shown to be effective in the management of moderate-to-severe HS that failed conventional treatment and demonstrated a good tolerability and safety profile.

Facial involvement and the severity of psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder characterized by well-demarcated erythematous-scaly lesions, affecting 0-6.6% of the world population. Facial lesions are neglected in most descriptions in current literature, although some studies indicate that it could be a predictor of psoriasis severity. OBJECTIVE: To compare the severity of psoriasis, measured by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), in patients with and without facial lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, whose sample size was 63 individuals for each group. Subjects were included in the HUPES Complex Dermatology Service (Salvador/BA - Brazil) from April 2014 to January 2016. Demographic information was obtained using a prestructured form. Assessments of psoriasis severity and quality of life were done using PASI and DLQI, respectively. RESULTS: Facial lesions were detected on 63 (50.0%) of the 126 patients included. The pinna was the most frequently affected region (63.5%). Mean PASI in the group with facial involvement was 14.0 vs. 6.0, when facial involvement was absent. DLQI means for these groups were, respectively, 7.5 and 4.7. CONCLUSIONS: Facial involvement in a psoriasis patient was a marker of disease severity, and its identification should influence the therapeutic decision.

Psoriasis and sexual dysfunction: links, risks, and management challenges.

According to the WHO, sexual health is not merely the absence of disease. Sexual dysfunction may be present in 40.8% of psoriasis patients, furthermore, 68% prevalence was found in Brazilian women with psoriasis. The moderate prevalence of psoriatic lesions in the genital area (35%-42%) does not explain the alarming prevalence of sexual dysfunction. Other factors, such as anxiety, depression, and also psoriasis treatment may contribute to its development. Likewise, atherosclerosis of the pelvic vasculature is involved in the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction. Risk factors for erectile dysfunction tend to be confused with the comorbidities seen in psoriasis patients. We also highlight that it may serve as a marker of cardiovascular risk.

Skin disorders during menopause.

Menopause is the cessation of menstrual periods due to the loss of ovarian function. Among the various phases of a woman's life, menopause has the greatest impact on health and has been one of the most neglected areas of research. Hormonal changes caused by menopause can lead to problems in the skin and its annexes, and despite the high frequency of dermatologic signs and symptoms, studies on this topic are limited. In this article, we review the skin disorders that result from the hormonal changes of menopause and other common dermatoses observed during this period and assess possible therapeutic approaches.

Epidemiology and treatment of psoriasis: a Brazilian perspective.

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated systemic disease that is influenced by genetic and environmental factors, is associated with comorbidities, and has a negative impact on the quality of life of affected individuals. The prevalence of psoriasis varies among different ethnic groups, but this topic has not been studied in Brazil to date. In this review, we evaluate the epidemiology and treatment of psoriasis from a Brazilian perspective. We focused on studies that involved Brazilian subjects. The prevalence of psoriasis in Brazil is estimated to be 2.5%, but no population study has been performed previously. Environmental factors, such as tropical climate, in association with genetic factors, such as miscegenation, may exert a beneficial impact on the course and frequency of psoriasis in Brazil. A number of studies have advanced our understanding of the cardiovascular, ophthalmic, and oral comorbidities that are associated with psoriasis. Concerns about biological therapy, such as endemic leprosy, human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV), and tuberculosis infections, are discussed. The nonavailability of treatment options for psoriasis in the public health system contradicts the Brazilian Society of Dermatology guidelines, stimulating the judicialization of access to medicines in psoriasis care.