Childhood epidermal necrolysis and erythema multiforme major: a multicentre French cohort study of 62 patients.

INTRODUCTION: The distinction between epidermal necrolysis [EN; including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and overlap syndrome] and erythema multiforme major (EMM) in children is confusing. We aimed to better describe and compare these entities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This French retrospective multicentre study included children ≤18 years old referred for EN or EMM between 1 January 2008 and 1 March 2019. According to pictures, children were reclassified into TEN/overlap, SJS or EMM/unclassified (SJS/EMM) groups and compared for epidemiological and clinical data, triggers, histology and follow-up. RESULTS: We included 62 children [43 boys, median age 10 years (range 3-18)]: 16 with TEN/overlap, 11 SJS and 35 EMM. The main aetiologies were drugs in EN and infections (especially Mycoplasma pneumoniae) in EMM (P < 0.001), but 35% of cases remained idiopathic (TEN/overlap, 47%; SJS, 24%; EMM, 34%). The typical target lesions predominated in EMM (P < 0.001), the trunk was more often affected in EN (P < 0.001), and the body surface area involved was more extensive in EN (P < 0.001). Mucosal involvement did not differ between the groups. Two patients with idiopathic TEN died. Histology of EMM and EN showed similar features. The recurrence rate was 42% with EMM, 7% with TEN/overlap and 0 with SJS (P < 0.001). Sequelae occurred in 75% of EN but involved 55% of EMM. CONCLUSION: Clinical features of EN and EMM appeared well demarcated, with few overlapping cases. Idiopathic forms were frequent, especially for EN, meaning that a wide and thorough infectious screening, repeated if needed, is indicated for all paediatric cases of EN/EMM without any trigger drug. We propose a comprehensive panel of investigations which could be a standard work-up in such situation. Sequelae affected both EN and EMM.

Occupational contact dermatitis from protein in sea products: who is the most affected, the fisherman or the chef?

BACKGROUND: Protein contact dermatitis has frequently been reported in case studies (usually in cases involving contact with seafood products), but there are very few descriptive series. The objectives of this present study were firstly to determine the incidence of protein contact dermatitis among fishermen in France and compare it with data from onshore work involving seafood exposure. Second, to discover what factors could explain any differences. In order to answer these questions we analysed data from the French national occupational disease surveillance and prevention network (RNV3P) and occupational diseases declared to the French National Network for Monitoring and Prevention of Occupational Disease. This retrospective study was done for a 13 year period. CASE PRESENTATION: Between 2000 and 2012, we only found eight cases of protein contact dermatitis in the French network. There were no cases of protein contact dermatitis in the seafaring population. The eight cases from the French network are essentially allergies to different fish and chefs are the professionals most affected. Atopy is present in half of these cases. In the seafaring population we found several cases of allergic delayed-time contact dermatitis due to bryozoans and to gloves but no protein contact dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Chefs who have to cook seafood are more at risk of occupational protein contact dermatitis than fishermen. We think that skin protection (that is to say glove wearing) is better implemented in the fishing sector than in the catering profession on shore in France.

Factors influencing patient satisfaction: assessment in outpatients in dermatology department.

BACKGROUND: Improving patient satisfaction may lead to better adherence with treatment and consequently to better clinical outcomes for skin diseases. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine factors influencing patient satisfaction in consultations with dermatologists. METHODS: All patients presenting to the secretariat for a medical consultation received a one-page anonymous questionnaire to fill at the end of the consultation. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-seven questionnaires were completed. Mean age of the population was 43.6 years with 58.4% of women and 41.6% of men in the sample. Patients were generally satisfied with their consultation (77.1%). Patient age was signifcantly related to overall satisfaction (P < 0.01), with greater satisfaction among patients aged 50 years and older. The factors that infuence overall satisfaction the most were quality of life, physician's concerning, interest in the medical problem and attention given to symptoms. Performance of a full-body skin examination, use of dermatoscopy, performance of a skin biopsy and comfort of the waiting room were additional factors contributing to satisfaction among patients 50 years and older. CONCLUSIONS: Interpersonal skills of dermatologists and attention to the quality of life are important factors in outpatient satisfaction.

Oxybutynin as a treatment for generalized hyperhidrosis: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Hyperhidrosis is a disorder that can impair quality of life. Localized treatments may be cumbersome and ineffective, and no systemic treatments have proven to be significantly beneficial. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerance of low-dose oxybutynin for hyperhidrosis. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. From June 2013 to January 2014, 62 patients with localized or generalized hyperhidrosis were enrolled. Oxybutynin was started at a dose of 2·5 mg per day and increased gradually to 7·5 mg per day. The primary outcome was defined as improvement of at least one point on the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS). Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and tolerance were also reported. RESULTS: Most patients (83%) in our study had generalized hyperhidrosis. Oxybutynin was superior to placebo in improving the HDSS: 60% of patients treated with oxybutynin, compared with 27% of patients treated with placebo, improved at least one point on the HDSS (P = 0·009). The mean improvement in quality of life measured by DLQI was significantly better in the oxybutynin arm (6·9) than in the placebo arm (2·3). The most frequent side-effect was dry mouth, which was observed in 43% of the patients in the oxybutynin arm, compared with 11% in the placebo arm. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with low-dose oxybutynin is effective in reducing symptoms of hyperhidrosis in generalized or localized forms. Side-effects were frequent but minor and mainly involved dry mouth.

[Overview of five years of occupational dermatology: The role of atopy]. / Consultation spécialisée de dermatologie professionnelle : bilan de cinq ans d'activité. Place de l'atopie.

BACKGROUND: The management of occupational dermatitis is often complex and relies on skills in both dermatology and occupational medicine. A bidisciplinary occupational dermatology consultation was set up in 2002 at Brest CHU. The aim of this study is to provide an assessment of 5 years of activity and to discuss the role of atopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From October 2002 to October 2007, 245 patients attended this consultation. 145 files concerning proven occupational dermatosis were studied (age, sex, occupation, dermatosis, allergens and history of atopy). One hundred and five patients completed a telephone questionnaire concerning their feelings about the consultation, the course of their dermatosis and the medicosocial outcome. RESULTS: The main forms of dermatosis were contact eczema (41%), irritant dermatitis (26%), exacerbation of atopic dermatitis (10%), associated eczema and irritant dermatitis (9%), and other (14%). DISCUSSION: The occupations of subjects (healthcare, building and civil engineering work, food and catering, agriculture, mechanics, hairdressing, cleaning, printing) and the allergens involved were similar to those described in the literature. The prognosis was poor (48% cure rate). Differential diagnosis between allergic eczema and irritant dermatitis was sometimes difficult and was based on clinical features and allergology tests. A history of atopy was found in 32% of patients and was particularly frequent among patients presenting allergic eczema associated with irritant dermatitis: this may be explained by the physiopathological mechanisms of atopic dermatitis (impairment of barrier function causing contact sensitization to potential allergens). CONCLUSION: Such a bidiscipinary occupational dermatology consultation has the advantage of optimizing management of these patients. Wider notification of occupational dermatosis would increase our knowledge of the causes of this condition and enable better prevention.

Frequency of aquagenic palmoplantar keratoderma in cystic fibrosis: a new sign of cystic fibrosis?

BACKGROUND: Aquagenic palmoplantar keratoderma (APPK), also known as aquagenic wrinkling of the palms, is characterized by oedema of palms and/or soles, whitish papules, hyperwrinkling and sometimes pruritus or pain after water immersion. Its frequency in the general population is unknown. About 40 cases have been reported to date, including some among patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) or CF heterozygotes. OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of APPK among patients with CF. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients from the Centre of Competence on Cystic Fibrosis of Roscoff were examined by a dermatologist after immersion of the palms in water for 2-3 min. RESULTS: The frequency of APPK was 41% (11 of 27 patients). Some patients had not previously noticed the lesions. The frequency was higher among inpatients than outpatients. We suspect that occlusion (caused by the gloves worn by inpatients) can explain this difference. The number of patients included in this study is not sufficient to draw any conclusions concerning the type of CF mutation and its impact on the frequency of APPK. CONCLUSIONS: APPK is frequent among patients with CF and, thus, should be considered a sign of CF. APPK is underdiagnosed because physicians usually do not look for it. CF screening should be considered for any patient presenting with these symptoms, followed by genetic counselling if necessary.

Sensitive skin is not limited to the face.

BACKGROUND: Sensitive skin (or reactive or hyper-reactive skin) is defined as skin that reacts by erythema and/or subjective symptoms (pricking, burning, pain, pruritus etc.) to stimuli that are not pathogens in themselves (e.g. wind, heat, cold, water, cosmetics, stress). This phenomenon is very frequent, occurring in about 50% of the European population. OBJECTIVES: Sensitive skin is always reported on the face. The aim of our study was to determine if it can occur in other localizations. METHODS: We have performed this study in two centres. One was a department of dermatology in a university hospital while the other one was a centre for cosmetological studies. A questionnaire was given to women aged > 15 years. The questions were: Do you have sensitive skin? If yes, in which localization? What are the symptoms and triggering factors? RESULTS: Four hundred subjects were included in the study (200 in each centre). The two populations were similar in terms of age, sex, and most of the results. The mean age was 40 years. Eighty-five per cent of the 400 subjects declared that they had sensitive skin on the face, and 70% had sensitive skin in another area: hands (58%), scalp (36%), feet (34%), neck (27%), torso (23%) or back (21%). Triggering factors included cold (66%), heat (28%), stress (61%), sun exposure (51%), wind (42%), water from a shower (29%) or a swimming pool (40%), soaps (42%), cosmetics (28%) and pollution (18%). Friction from clothes was reported in 28% of cases. Sensitive skin was observed as redness in most cases along with various subjective symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of subjects presenting with sensitive skin is probably overestimated. However, the main result of this study is that sensitive skin is not restricted to the face but rather it is also present at other localizations, mainly the hands, and often the scalp and feet.