Topical Oxybutynin 3% Gel Versus Aluminum Chloride 15% Lotion in Treatment of Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating beyond thermoregulatory needs. It is a potentially disabling condition with challenging management. Aluminum chloride is the established topical treatment; however, response remains unsatisfactory. Oxybutynin is an anticholinergic drug that stands as a therapeutic chance for hyperhidrosis. OBJECTIVES: comparing the efficacy of topical oxybutynin 3% gel versus aluminum chloride 15% lotion in treatment of primary focal hyperhidrosis. METHODS: Forty patients with hyperhidrosis were randomly distributed into 2 equal groups treated by either topical oxybutynin 3% gel or topical aluminum chloride 15% lotion once daily night application for 4 weeks (both groups). Evaluation was done at 2 and 4 weeks of treatment and after 1 month of the end of treatment for follow up by Minor iodine starch test, hyperhidrosis disease severity scale (HDSS) and dermatology life quality index (DLQI). RESULTS: Both treatment modalities were effective with insignificant differences between patients of both groups regarding improvement in Minor iodine starch test and HDSS after 2 weeks of treatment (P = 0.561, 0.33 respectively). Oxybutynin 3% gel yielded significantly better improvement of Minor's test, HDSS and patient's quality of life at the end of 4 weeks of treatment with lower recurrence rate than aluminum chloride 15% lotion at 1 month follow up. Minimal adverse effects were noted in both studied groups. CONCLUSIONS: Oxybutynin 3% gel could be considered as a promising treatment modality for hyperhidrosis with higher efficacy than aluminum chloride 15% lotion and lower recurrence rate.

Cell adhesion molecule 1 expression in mycosis fungoides versus parapsoriasis versus inflammatory dermatosis: an immunohistochemical comparative study.

Cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) is one of the immunoglobulin super family adhesion molecules, that is proposed to contribute in the pathogenesis of various types of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, including mycosis fungoides (MF). In this work, we decided to examine the immunohistochemical expression of CADM1 in MF specimens compared to premycotic parapsoriasis, benign inflammatory dermatosis and normal control skin specimens. 125 participants were enrolled (50 MF, 25 parapsoriasis, 25 inflammatory dermatosis, and 25 healthy controls). Patients were selected from the Outpatient Clinic of Dermatology and Venereology Department, Tanta University Hospitals. From all, 4 mm punch skin biopsies were taken and examined for CADM1 immunohistochemical expression. The current study revealed statistically significant upregulation of CADM1 expression in MF specimens in comparison to parapsoriasis, inflammatory dermatosis, and normal control specimens. Additionally, there was statistically significant positive correlation between CADM1 expression and progression of TNMB staging of MF disease. Therefore, it is possible to recommend CADM1 as a beneficial diagnostic immunohistochemical marker for differentiation between early stages of MF and both the premycotic parapsoriasis and benign inflammatory dermatosis. Moreover, it may be of value in early detection of neoplastic transformation of parapsoriasis as well as in assessment of MF progression.

Efficacy of topical latanoprost versus minoxidil and betamethasone valerate on the treatment of alopecia areata.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is one of the most common causes of localized hair loss. There is no universally proven therapy that induces and sustains remission of hair growth in AA. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of topical latanoprost, minoxidil and betamethasone valerate on hair growth in patients with AA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Hundred patients with AA classified into five groups of 20 treated with: Group I, latanoprost 0.1% lotion; Group II, minoxidil 5% lotion; Group III, betamethasone valerate 0.1% solution; Group IV, combination of latanoprost lotion and betamethasone valerate solution and Group V, a vehicle lotion control group. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant improvement in all therapeutic groups when compared with control group and reduction of severity of alopecia tool score of scalp and beard before and after treatment for all therapeutic groups. CONCLUSION: Latanoprost, minoxidil and betamethasone valerate are effective and safe in the treatment of patchy AA. The use of latanoprost added to the therapeutic efficacy of topical betamethasone valerate in the treatment of AA and could be an effective adjunctive topical therapy for AA.