Subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriasis. Usefulness of femoral artery ultrasound for the diagnosis, and analysis of its relationship with insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) at younger ages that is not identifiable by traditional risk factors. Screening for subclinical atherosclerosis with ultrasound has only been investigated in carotid arteries. Femoral artery ultrasound has never been considered for this purpose. The link between psoriasis and accelerated atherosclerosis has not yet been established. OBJECTIVE: To study the usefulness of femoral artery ultrasound for the detection of subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriasis. We also investigated its possible relationship with changes in insulin resistance. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 140 participants, 70 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis and 70 healthy controls, matched 1:1 for age, sex, and BMI. Femoral and carotid atherosclerotic plaques were evaluated by ultrasonography. Insulin resistance was assessed by the homeostasis model assessment method (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: Femoral atherosclerotic plaque prevalence was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis (44.64%) than in controls (19.07%) (p<0.005), but no significant difference was found in carotid plaque prevalence (p<0.3). Femoral plaques were significantly more prevalent than carotid plaques (21.42%) among patients with psoriasis (p<0.001). In the regression analysis, insulin resistance was the most influential determinant of atherosclerosis in psoriasis and C-reactive protein the most significant predictor of insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound screening for femoral atherosclerotic plaques improves the detection of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriasis, whereas the study of carotid arteries is not sufficiently accurate. Insulin resistance appears to play a greater role in the development of atherosclerosis in these patients in comparison to other classical CVD risk factors.

Non-occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by long-lasting nail polish kits for home use: 'the tip of the iceberg'.

BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) from (meth)acrylates caused by long lasting nail polish (also known as "permanent", "semi-permanent" or "gel nail polish") has been described both in occupational and non-occupational settings. Inexpensive kits for home use have been available for purchase in many stores or through the Internet. OBJECTIVE: To report on several further cases of consumers sensitised to these nail products. METHODS: Patch test results and evaluation of ingredient labelling of products brought in by the patients. RESULTS: Four new cases are presented. Three of the patients reacted to 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), and all 4 to 2-hydroxy ethylacrylate. CONCLUSIONS: Acrylates are present in a wide range of products including medical materials. Sensitization from (meth)acrylates caused by a merely aesthetic procedure might significantly impact health by jeopardizing access to several types of medical interventions. Policies should be implemented restricting the use of long-lasting nail polishes to qualified professionals and banning the indiscriminate sale of kits for home use.

"Nails Only" Phenotype and Partial Dominance of p.Glu170Lys Mutation in a Family with Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a heterogeneous group of rare, chronic, inherited skin disorders characterized by marked mechanical fragility of epithelial tissues, with blistering and erosions after minor trauma. We present the first report of a nails-only phenotype in two patients with epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) and a heterozygous pGlu170Lys mutation and the second reported case of EBS associated with a homozygous p.Glu170Lys mutation in the KRT5 gene. Our findings may be relevant for genetic counseling and for understanding the inheritance pattern of EBS.

Management of hidradenitis suppurativa with biological therapy: report of four cases and review of the literature.

Several studies report the usefulness of different biological therapies in the management of a difficult-to-treat pathology such as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). However, there are little data on this, which shows the great difficulty in the management of this disease. We will report herein our experience of the treatment of four complex cases of HS. We will also review previous cases published in the literature in order to further assess the results obtained with different biological drugs in terms of efficacy and safety. We conclude that, in the near future, biological therapy could become an essential tool in the management of cases of HS who have not previously responded to classical treatment.

Dermatomiositis juvenil. Interés de la resonancia magnética en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de la enfermedad / Juvenile dermatomytositis. Interest of the magnetic resonance in the

La dermatomiositis juvenil es la miopatía inflamatoria idiopática juvenil más frecuente, que se caracteriza por debilidad muscular proximal simétrica, eritema en heliotropo y pápulas y placas en superficies extensoras. El electromiograma y la biopsia muscular confirman el diagnóstico, pero son técnicas invasivas; la resonancia magnética es una alternativa útil en el diagnóstico y el seguimiento, asociado a 105 datos clínicos y analíticos. El tratamiento precoz y agresivo puede, en muchos casos, controlar las manifestaciones agudas y las secuelas a largo plazo de la dermatomiositis juvenil, incluida la calcinosis. Presentamos un caso clínico de dermatomiositis juvenil con buena evolución inicial con dosis esteroideas bajas, que fue preciso aumentar posteriormente. Comentamos las aportaciones de la resonancia magnética en nuestro caso y en la literatura

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JOM) is the most common pediatric inflammatory myopathy characterized by progressive proximal muscle weakness, heliotrope rash, and erythematous papules and plaques on extensor surfaces. Electromyography and muscular biopsy confirm the clinical diagnosis, but they are invasive techniques. Magnetic resonance findings in this disease may be useful in establishing its diagnosis and follow-up within the clinical contexto Often, aggressive and rapid treatment directed can control the acute manifestations and long-range sequelae of JOM, including calcinosis cutis. We report a case of juvenile dermatomyositis with good initial response to low esteroids dose, that we must increased lately. We comment the usefull magnetic resonance findings in our case and in the literature