Perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with ITP: a single tertiary center experience.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to compare the maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in our clinic between different platelet groups. METHODS: This study was designed retrospectively. A total of 62 pregnant women with ITP were included in the study. Demographic and clinical data for all cases were evaluated. Perinatal outcomes were evaluated according to platelet counts. RESULTS: The median age of the patients participating in the study was 27, and their ages ranged from 21 to 44. ITP was diagnosed before pregnancy in 32.3 % (n=20) of the patients and during pregnancy in 67.7 % (n=42). The average platelet counts of the patients during the first trimester and birth were 104.8/µL (15-168) and 84/µL (16-235), respectively. The average platelet count of newborns is 242/µL. The most common (74.2 %) ITP treatment method is the combination of steroids and IVIG. The platelet count of 80.6 % of newborns is above 151/µL. There was no statistical difference between the results of both mothers and fetuses when the groups were categorized according to maternal platelet levels. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, no difference was observed in maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality rates, despite the different platelet counts of patients with ITP. The cooperation of the hematology, gynecology, obstetrics, and neonatology departments is responsible for this.

Analysis of 3702 patients with acne vulgaris and concomitant comorbidities in Turkey: a multi-centered, prospective, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects the pilosebaceous unit. Although it is considered to be a skin-limited disease, different clinical studies have recently been published in which the disease is accompanied by systemic symptoms. In this study, systemic comorbidities accompanying acne vulgaris and the relationship between existing comorbidities and disease severity are investigated. METHODS: This prospective multicenter study was conducted by the Turkish Society of Dermatology Acne Study Group. Twelve dermatology clinics and 14 clinicians throughout Turkey participated in the study. A structured physician-administered questionnaire was used to collect patient demographics, clinical findings, and lifestyle data. Physicians recorded each participant's medical history, including current and past comorbidities, duration of any comorbidity, smoking, and drinking. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. RESULTS: There were 3022 patients in the adolescent acne group and 897 in the control group. The incidence of nonmigraine headache in adolescents with acne was significantly higher than in the nonacne group (P = 0.019). There were 680 patients in the postadolescent acne group and 545 in the control group. In the postadolescent group, incidence of metabolic disease was lower than the control group (P = 0.003). In the postadolescent group, premenstrual syndrome (P < 0.001) and PCOS (P = 0.007) were more common than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we observed that acne vulgaris does not cause systemic comorbidities. There is also a need for new studies involving a large number of patients to illuminate systemic diseases accompanying acne vulgaris.

Acne in pregnancy: A prospective multicenter, cross-sectional study of 295 patients in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: There are only a few studies on acne in pregnancy. This study was aimed to investigate the demographic, clinical, and familial characteristics of acne in pregnancy, triggering factors including endocrine diseases, and association of these findings with acne in different trimesters of pregnancy. METHODS: Pregnant women aged 18 years and older with acne at any stage of pregnancy were consecutively interviewed at the participating centers during the study period from 2016 to 2019. Acne severity was evaluated using the Comprehensive Acne Severity Scale. RESULTS: A total of 295 pregnant women with acne were included, with 167 (56.6%) patients showing mild, 87 (29.5%) moderate, six (12.2%) severe, and five (1.7%) very severe acne. Truncal acne was significantly higher in the third trimester than in the other stages (P < 0.001). Onset of acne before pregnancy, prepubertal, pubertal or adult onset, or acne history in previous pregnancies did not influence acne severity in pregnancy. Women with irregular menstruation before pregnancy, polycystic ovary syndrome, hirsutism, and higher body weight index tended to show severe acne in pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Severe acne during pregnancy is generally uncommon, while severity of facial acne, truncal acne, and hirsutism is higher in the third trimester than in other trimesters. Acne in pregnancy shares many characteristics with female adult acne. Substantial changes in different kinds of hormones play a more complex role in acne during pregnancy, but the pathogenesis remains to be determined.

Systemic comorbidities associated with rosacea: a multicentric retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Once considered a disorder limited to the skin, rosacea is now known to be associated with systemic disorders. The aim of this study was to determine what systemic comorbidities accompany rosacea and to determine the relationship between the type, severity, and duration of rosacea, and the presence of and type of systemic comorbidities. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study was conducted by the Turkish Society of Dermatology Acne Study Group. Thirteen dermatology clinics throughout Turkey participated in the study. A structured physician-administered questionnaire was used to collect patient demographics, clinical findings, and lifestyle data. The principal rosacea subtype, physician global assessment of severity, and duration of rosacea were recorded. Physicians recorded each participant's medical history, including current and past comorbidities, duration of any such comorbidity, and the use of medications to treat any comorbidities. RESULTS: The study included 1,195 rosacea patients and 621 controls without rosacea aged 18-85 years. As compared to the controls, more of the rosacea patients had respiratory tract, gastrointestinal system, and metabolic and hepatobiliary system disorders in a rosacea's severity- and duration-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Clinicians must be aware of the potential for systemic comorbidities in rosacea patients, which becomes more likely as disease duration and severity increase.

Demodex spp. as a possible aetiopathogenic factor of acne and relation with acne severity and type.

INTRODUCTION: Acne is a very common skin disease in adolescents and young adults, but it also affects adults. However, its aetiology is not yet fully understood. Demodex appears to be associated with multiple skin disorders, but controversy persists. Some reports indicate a connection between acne vulgaris and demodicosis. AIM: To confirm the association between Demodex infestation and acne vulgaris. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 108 patients were enrolled in the acne group. Acne severity was calculated as GASS and acne type (adolescent and post adolescent) was recorded. An age-sex matched healthy control group comprising 65 individuals were included in the study. Dermatological examinations were performed and an SSSB was used to determine the presence of Demodex. RESULTS: In our study, Demodex positivity was seen in 46 (42.6%) patients in the acne group and 8 (12.3%) in the control group; this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). A multivariate Backward Step-By-Step Logistic Regression analysis identified the most effective factors for acne development such as Demodex positivity (OR = 5.565, 95% CI: 2.384-12.99 and p < 0.001) and age under 25 years (OR = 2.3 and 95% CI: 1.183-4.473 and p = 0.014). Alcohol consumption was related to Demodex positivity (p = 0.019) in post adolescent acne. CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first one to evaluate acne severity, acne type and the relationship to Demodex prevalence. We suggest that Demodex infestation should be considered when the classical therapies are ineffective especially in cases of post adolescent acne.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Metabolic Syndrome, and Demodex spp. Infestation.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. This type of dermatosis with underlying chronic inflammation significantly affects the quality of life and may be accompanied by many comorbidities. In this case, Demodex spp. was associated with treatment-resistant and persistent course of skin diseases. A 46-year-old female patient applied to our clinic with complaints of lesions on the body and hip. Her dermatological examination revealed abscess formation and post-inflammatory pigmentation. Millimetric scar formation and improved folliculitis-like lesions were observed on both glutei. These complaints started 7 years ago and become more intense and severe by time. Owing to the diagnoses of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, the patient was monitored for metabolic syndrome. In the cultures taken from the lesions, no growth was seen. A standardized skin surface biopsy of the patient demonstrated demodicosis. The patient was treated with oral metronidazole and topical permethrin lotion, whereupon a pronounced recovery was observed in her clinical condition. In the light of this case, we recommend that patients with HS should be checked for the presence of Demodex spp., and if it is detected, an appropriate treatment should be applied. To our knowledge, this is the first case report presenting the relationship between HS and Demodex infestation.

Prediction of atopy via total immunoglobulin E levels andskin prick tests in patients with psoriasis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Although the etiopathogeneses of psoriasis and atopy appear to be different, psoriasis has been found to be associated with atopy and atopic dermatitis. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of atopy by examining the medical history and clinical and laboratory findings of patients with psoriasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with psoriasis, asthma patients, and healthy volunteers were included in the study. Serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were obtained, and prick tests were administered to all groups. RESULTS: Psoriatic patients demonstrated percentages of atopy history (21.3%) that were higher than those of the healthy subjects (15.7%). The median total IgE level in psoriatic patients was found to be statistically higher than that in the healthy control group (P > 0.05). With respect to mite positivity, there were statistically significant differences in the psoriatic (P < 0.05) and asthmatic groups (P < 0.001) when compared to the healthy control group. CONCLUSION: Our study is the first to use skin prick tests with psoriatic patients. Skin prick test sensitivity to mites increased in psoriatic patients, and we believe that this finding may be useful in protecting psoriatic patients from activation of psoriasis and in determining the appropriate treatment approach.

Terra firma-forme dermatosis.

Terra firma-forme dermatosis (TFFD) belongs to the group of "dirty dermatoses" and represents a not well-known and surely underestimated vexing skin condition. Firstly described by Duncan, Tschen and Knox in 1987, it accounts for a few case series in the literature and has a still undefined aetiology. The authors present an additional report of TFFD, occurring in a young Caucasian girl, and briefly review the current medical literature on the topic.

Demodex spp. Infestation Associated with Treatment-Resistant Chalazia and Folliculitis.

Demodecidosis is an ectoparasitosis of pilosebaceous unit caused by demodex mites. The disease may be a primary skin disease or a secondary disease to inflammatory dermatoses such as folliculitis and rosacea. Demodex spp. blepharitis is an infectious ocular disease that is common but always neglected. These mites contain lipase enzymes that help carry bacteria on the surface. The infestation of Demodex spp. has increasingly become a public health concern. A 29-year-old male patient was admitted to our dermatology clinic with a complaint of papules and pustules on his face, which started 4 years ago. A standardized skin biopsy specimen was evaluated in our microbiology laboratory, and we detected Demodex folliculorum mites on his face (3+). There was pruritus of his eyes. A total of four eyelashes were epilated and were then examined under a light microscope for the presence of Demodex infestation. In this study, we discussed the association between acne rocacea, blepharitis, and demodex mites.

Pigmented purpuric dermatosis after taking a dietary supplement.

Pigmented purpuric dermatoses (PPDs) are a group of histologically similar skin eruptions characterized by a perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate with extravasated erythrocytes. The etiologies of these conditions are unknown, but triggering factors such as systemic diseases, infections, drugs, and foods have been described. Here, we present a patient who developed pigmented purpura 30 days after initiating a dietary supplement that contained selenium, natural vitamin E, and a parsley concentrate, specifically, Parselenium E. One month after stopping the dietary supplement, the lesions disappeared and no new lesions have developed.

Serological test results of sexually transmitted diseases in patients with condyloma acuminata.

INTRODUCTION: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The incidence of condyloma acuminata (CA) has increased in recent years. AIM: To determine demographical features and serological test results of STD in patients with CA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 94 patients presenting to a dermatology clinic in Ankara, Middle Anatolia, Turkey. Dermatological examinations were made and the patients completed a questionnaire which consisted of questions about their marital status, partners and condom use. In all cases, VDRL/RPR, anti-HIV, HBsAg, anti-HCV and in 57 cases - HSV type 1-2 IgM and IgG were studied. If the value of VDRL or RPR was positive, TPHA was conducted. RESULTS: In our study, 83 men and 11 women had CA. We could not analyze whether our cases had multiple partners and a habit of condom use as some of the patients did not answer questions about their sexual life. We observed VDRL and TPHA positivity in 3 (3.1%) cases, none of those cases had clinical findings of syphilis and they denied using any therapy for syphilis. HBsAg positivity was found in 3 cases. No anti-HIV and anti-HCV antibody positivity was detected. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of HBsAg in our study was similar to that of the general population of Turkey. But as we found positive syphilis serology in 3 patients, we suggest that syphilis serology should be investigated in patients with CA.

Mucocutaneous warts in Middle Anatolia, Turkey: clinical presentations and therapeutic approaches.

INTRODUCTION: Viral warts are common skin condition caused by the human papilloma virus. AIM: To determine the clinical features of warts and therapeutic approaches to warts and compare them with the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 362 consecutive patients presenting to a dermatology clinic in Ankara, Middle Anatolia, Turkey. Age, gender, anatomic localization, clinical types, number of warts, and medical therapy histories were recorded. RESULTS: In our study 139 (38.4%) children and 223 (61.6%) adults had warts. Warts were seen in 191 men, and 171 women. The mean age was 24.7 ±13.5. In all groups the incidence and the number of warts were higher in men. Clinical types of warts were vulgar, anogenital, plantar, verruca plana, filiform, and mosaic. Thirty-six (9.9%) of 362 cases had more than one type. The locations of warts were as follows extremities (n = 233, 64.4%), anogenital (n = 86, 23.7%) and head and neck (n = 73, 20.2%). The incidence of anogenital warts was statistically higher in men than women (p < 0.05). Topical medical treatment was the first choice (n = 60, 57.1%). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the incidence and the number of warts were higher in men, which is different than in previous reports. The anogenital wart (AW) was ranked second in all types of warts. According to this finding, we can say that the frequency of AW has been increased in Turkey. To our knowledge recently there have been no studies investigating the clinical features of viral warts in all ages in the literature.

Lichen striatus: after a bite by bumblebee.

Lichen striatus (LS) is an uncommon dermatosis characterised by a linear inflammatory papular eruption. It is frequently seen in children and rarely in adults. We present in this study a 49-year-old female patient who was diagnosed as LS, which occurs after a bite by bumblebee. As we know, it is the first case of LS reported after a bite by bumblebee.

Placebo effect of saline in pain management: compared study with hemodialysis and non-hemodialysis nurses' experiences.

UNLABELLED: objectives: To identify and compare hemodialysis and non-hemodialysis nurses' experiences about the placebo effect of intravenous saline injection in pain management. METHODS: This descriptive study design was carried out between January 22nd - February 4th, 2012 with 202 voluntary nurses who work in hemodialysis and medical-surgical clinics. An online survey system was used for data collecting. Cookie and IP logging prevented multiple voting. The survey contained 21 questions. Data were evaluated by descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test. RESULTS: The mean age of the nurses was 31.13 ± 6.03 years. Fifty-two point five percent (n=106) of the nurses were working in a hemodialysis unit while the others (45.5%) were from other clinics such as medical and surgical units. While 68.4% of the hemodialysis nurses stated that they "sometimes" use placebo, 62.7% of the non-hemodialysis nurses stated that they "rarely" use placebo. In hemodialysis nurses, "always" believing the patient's pain was significantly lower than expected count. This ratio was found more than expected in non-hemodialysis nurses (p=0.006). Hemodialysis nurses stated that "the use of placebo is not necessary to be recorded". However, non-hemodialysis nurses stated more than expected that "the placebo usage should be recorded" (p=0.006). CONCLUSION: Hemodialysis nurses are more likely to use saline injection as a placebo in pain management rather than non-hemodialysis nurses. However, non-hemodialysis nurses believe the patient's pain more than hemodialysis nurses do. This makes placebo usage for the first step choice among hemodialysis nurses.

Lichen nitidus with involvement of the palms.

A 14-year-old girl presented with hyperkeratotic, pitted, skin-colored papules on a slightly erythematous surface on her palms and erythematous and squamous papules around her ankles. She was clinically and histopathologically diagnosed with lichen nitidus, which is observed rarely on the palms.