Psychosocial and quality-of-life factors associated with depigmentation therapy for vitiligo.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data examining the psychosocial factors relevant to depigmentation therapy, an irreversible treatment for vitiligo. This study explores patients' perspective and experience while undergoing depigmentation therapy and quality-of-life effects of such therapy. METHODS: An online instrument assessing the impact of depigmentation therapy on various psychosocial variables and including the validated Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were administered to two groups of participants with vitiligo: (1) those who are currently undergoing or have completed depigmentation therapy and (2) those with vitiligo who have not undergone depigmentation therapy but had considered it. Data were collected on psychosocial factors such as length of time until depigmentation therapy was offered, duration, financial burden, level of satisfaction, impact on life activities, and challenges faced during and after depigmentation therapy. DLQI scores were also measured. RESULTS: Thirty-five vitiligo patients who did not undergo depigmentation and 42 patients who did undergo depigmentation therapy were included in the study. Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Mean DLQI was higher for patients who did not undergo depigmentation than for those who underwent depigmentation (10.2 versus 5.3, p = 0.002), indicating worse quality-of-life in those not depigmenting. Patients who underwent depigmentation reported significantly less discomfort in various social situations after undergoing depigmentation therapy compared to how they felt before undergoing therapy and reported significantly less discomfort in these situations than patients who did not undergo depigmentation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Despite potential challenges, depigmentation therapy appears to augment quality-of-life across various domains in individuals with vitiligo.

Antibiotics for acne vulgaris: using instagram to seek insight into the patient perspective.

OBJECTIVES: Monitoring of public social media posts is an underutilized method to understand patients' perspectives regarding their condition and treatment. We investigated information shared by Instagram users of oral and topical antibiotics for treatment of acne vulgaris. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study of public Instagram posts assigned common hashtags to denote the use of antibiotics therapy for acne over nearly eight years. RESULTS: Dissatisfaction was more prevalent among users of oral antibiotics (25.6%) compared to users of topical antibiotics (9.8%), and negative tone among this group was most commonly due to lack of improvement in skin appearance. Reported side effects paralleled known side effects for oral and topical antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Instagram may have utility in elucidating patient behavior and attitudes. Dermatologists should increase their social media presence in order to disqualify any incorrect information endorsed in 'popular' or commonly viewed posts.

Antinociceptive and anticonvulsant activities of hydroalcoholic extract of Jasminum grandiflorum (jasmine) leaves in experimental animals.

Jasminum grandiflorum belongs to the family Oleaceae and is known to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiulcer activities. The present study was undertaken to study its analgesic and anticonvulsant effects in rats and mice. The antinociceptive activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of J. grandiflorum leaves (HEJGL) was studied using tail flick and acetic acid - induced writhing method. Similarly, its anticonvulsant activity was observed by maximal electroshock (MES) method and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) method. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett's test. At doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, HEJGL showed significant analgesic and anticonvulsant effects in experimental animals. In view of its analgesic and anticonvulsant activity, the JGL extract can be used in painful conditions as well as in seizure disorders.