Superficial cryotherapy using dimethyl ether and propane mixture versus microneedling in the treatment of alopecia areata: A prospective single-blinded randomized clinical trial.

To verify and compare the therapeutic efficacy and safety of superficial cryotherapy using dimethyl ether and propane (DMEP) mixture vs. microneedling in the treatment of mild scalp alopecia areata (AA). In a prospective randomized single-blinded clinical trial, 80 patients with clinically evident scalp mild AA were randomly assigned into two groups of 40 patients each. Group (1) was treated by superficial cryotherapy using DMEP in three freeze-thaw cycles of 5 s each. Group (2) was treated by microneedling. Both groups were treated every 2 weeks for 6 sessions and followed up for 3 months after the last session. Patients were assessed by photographic documentation, trichoscopic evaluation, severity of alopecia tool (SALT) score, and alopecia areata symptom impact scale (AASIS). An excellent response was achieved in 15 (37.5%) of group (1) compared with 14 (35%) of group (2) patients, while a good response was achieved in 23 (57.5%) of group (1) compared with 21 (52.5%) of group (1) patients, with a statistically insignificant difference. The mean SALT score change percentage was a statistically significantly higher in group (2) patients. The mean AASIS change percentage was higher in group (1) patients, but this was a statistically insignificant. In both groups, the mean numbers of trichoscopic signs of AA significantly decreased from baseline to the end of follow-up period. Both therapeutic modalities were well-tolerated, with no recurrence after the follow-up period. Both superficial cryotherapy using DMEP mixture, and microneedling are simple, effective, and safe therapeutic options for mild scalp AA, however, microneedling showed higher efficacy.

Prevalence of acne vulgaris and its impact of the quality of life among secondary school-aged adolescents in Sohag Province, Upper Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is the most common dermatological condition encountered in adolescents. AIM: It was to determine the prevalence of acne vulgaris and its impact of the quality of life among adolescents attending secondary schools in Sohag Province, Upper Egypt. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in randomly selected governmental and technical secondary schools in Sohag Province, Upper Egypt. Approval was taken from the scientific research committee of Sohag Faculty of Medicine and also from Ministry of Education. Every student with acne was subjected to full medical history and local examination of head and neck to assess the severity of acne vulgaris. Assessment of the impact of acne vulgaris on their quality of life was carried out using self-reported validated specific questionnaire, the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI). RESULTS: This study included 994 teenage secondary school students. The overall prevalence of acne vulgaris was 333 (33.5%). The mean age of the students with acne was 16.84±0.87. Acne vulgaris was more common among females than among males (200, 60% vs 133, 40%). The most common form of acne vulgaris was mild 178, 53%, followed by moderate form 135, 41%, and severe form 20, 6%. CADI score was significantly related to the disease grade and it was maximum among those with severe grade, followed by moderate and lastly mild disease grade. CONCLUSION: Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease and has a valuable impact on quality of life among adolescents attending secondary schools in Sohag Province, Upper Egypt.