Attitudes of Dermatologic Patients Towards COVID-19 Vaccines: a Questionnaire-Based Survey.

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the attitudes of patients with various dermatologic diseases towards coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines. The present questionnaire-based study was conducted on patients admitted to the outpatient clinic of the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Ufuk University Hospital, between January 1 and 31, 2021. The study population was divided into two groups based on their ages: (1) < 40 age group (n = 188) and (2) ≥ 40 age group (n = 111), and answers given to 35 specific questions were compared between the groups. The older group had significantly higher levels of anxiety compared to the younger group (p = 0.017). Although approximately 60% of cases in the older group were dedicated to being vaccinated, 40% of the younger participants were not sure about vaccination (p < 0.001). The most frequently demanded vaccine types were the inactivated and mRNA vaccines in the elderly and young groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Statistically significant positive weak correlations were observed for age, chronic disease of medication, and presence of severe COVID 19 cases in the environment (r = 0.125 p = 0.031, r = 0.184 p = 0.001, r = 0.122 p = 0.035, respectively). Dermatologic patients had generally positive attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination, and their preferences were affected by age.

The utility of immunoglobulin A/complement 3 and immunoglobulin G/immunoglobulin M ratios in the assessment of disease activation in patients with Behçet disease.

OBJECTIVE: Pathogenesis of Behçet disease (BD) has not yet been clearly revealed and there is no ideal test for the estimation of disease activation at present. This study aimed to assess the efficiencies of IgG/IgM and IgA/C3 ratios in determining activation of BD. METHOD: This retrospective cohort study consisted of 140 patients with BD. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) active BD (n = 89) and (2) inactive BD (n = 51) and were compared in terms of demographic features, clinical characteristics and laboratory test results. IgA/C3 and IgG/IgM ratios were compared according to organ system involvement; receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed in order to assess the performance of IgA/C3 and IgG/IgM ratios in determining patient disease status. RESULTS: Significantly higher levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, IgA, G, C4, IgA/C3, IgG/IgM ratios (p = .007 for IgA and p < .001 for others) and significantly lower levels of IgM and C3 were observed in patients with active BD (p < .001). The IgG/IgM ratio was significantly higher in patients with vascular involvement (p = .017) and the IgA/C3 ratio was significantly higher in patients with arthritis (p = .007). Cut-off values of 0.019 (70.8% sensitivity, 62% specificity) and 7.08 (84.3% sensitivity, 80% specificity) were determined for IgA/C3 and IgG/IgM ratios, respectively. CONCLUSION: IgA/C3 and IgG/IgM ratios may be used as additional parameters for the assessment of BD status.

A simple, pain-free treatment for ingrown toenails complicated with granulation tissue.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of ingrown toenail complicated with granulation tissue is usually partial or total nail avulsion with or without matricectomy. It costs loss of occupational power, however, because most patients cannot go to work or school for some time after surgery, and it is a costly and uncomfortable procedure for most patients. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to find an easy, painless, and inexpensive alternative. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients with ingrown toenails complicated with granulation tissue are included. A small apparatus was applied on the nails, granulation tissue was chemically cauterized, and a foot bath was recommended twice daily. They were followed on a weekly basis or every other week until recovery. None of the patients received systemic treatment. RESULTS: All seven patients were completely cured without requiring surgery and/or systemic treatment. The procedure did not have any effect on their daily life. The follow-up examination of the patients at 6 months revealed that they were totally cured, and there were no recurrences. CONCLUSION: Patients with ingrown toenails complicated by granulation tissue might have an inexpensive and pain-free treatment alternative, although new studies with more patients are required.