Risk factors for melanoma and skin health behaviour: An analysis on Romanian melanoma patients.

In contrast to Western Europe, in Central and Eastern Europe reports show higher rates of advanced melanoma and lower survival. Our aim was to document and compare melanoma risk factors and skin health behaviour in patients diagnosed with melanoma and people not affected by this disease in a large medical university centre from Romania (Cluj-Napoca). Two hundred and forty-seven melanoma patients followed-up in the Department of Dermatology at the Cluj-Napoca Emergency County Hospital and 956 people not affected by melanoma completed a paper-based questionnaire regarding melanoma risk factors, risk behaviour and self-protecting measures, after giving informed consent. People with melanoma had significantly higher personal risk and protective behaviour, and lower risk behaviour than those not affected. Although our data suggest that melanoma patients are better educated about how to avoid a second primary melanoma, our results are concerning when compared with studies from other countries. The low incidence of self and clinical skin-examination together with the relatively low percentage of participants which would consult a doctor in the case of new/changing mole could be one of the explanations for the late diagnosis of melanoma in the studied population. According to our findings, there is an urgent need for population health campaigns regarding not only primary but also secondary melanoma prevention.

Concomitant acute deep venous thrombosis and superficial thrombophlebitis of the lower limbs.

INTRODUCTION: Some patients may have deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and superficial thrombophlebitis (ST) of the lower limbs at the same time. AIMS: To analyze the frequency of risk factors for thrombosis (RF), other than thrombophilias, in patients with concomitant DVT and ST. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical examination, plasma D-dimers and duplex ultrasonography were performed in 88 consecutive patients (mean age 64.9 +/-13.9 years) admitted in Medical Clinic in 2007. Patients with DVT were divided into two groups: A (with ST - 30 subjects, 34.1%) and B (without ST - 58 patients, 65.9%). RESULTS: Conditions known as RF were the following (Group A versus B): varicose veins (17 vs 21 patients, p=0.11), obesity (12 vs 19, p=0.66), previous venous thromboembolism (8 vs 16, p=0.87), malignancy (4 vs 10, p=0.44), chronic obstructive lung disease (4 vs 7, p=0.56), sepsis (2 vs 3, p=0.56), stroke and chemotherapy (1 vs 2, p=0.73), bed rest more than three days (1 vs 7, p=0.17), major surgery (1 vs 1, p=0.57), family history of DVT (1 vs 0, p=0.57), immobilizing plaster cast (0 vs 1, p=0.57). CONCLUSION: One third of patients with DVT had ST. None of those conditions considered as RF for DVT correlated with DVT-ST association.

Chronic thrombotic scarring in patients with acute deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs.

UNLABELLED: Some patients with acute deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs may present risk factors for recurrent disease. AIMS: To analyze the most important conditions related to recurrent deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs, other than thrombophilias. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined 88 consecutive patients (47 males-53.41%, average age 64.9 +/-13.9 years) admitted to a Medical Clinic in 2007. Duplex ultrasonography was performed to assess acute deep venous thrombosis and post-thrombotic syndrome. Anamnesis and physical examination were used to detect risk factors for recurrent disease. The 28 subjects with acute deep venous thrombosis and post-thrombotic syndrome were included in group A (31.82%). Group B comprised 60 patients (68.18%) with acute deep venous thrombosis without post-thrombotic syndrome. RESULTS: Risk factors for recurrent disease in groups A and B were the following: personal history of deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs (17 subjects versus 7, p<0.0001), varicose veins (14 vs 24, p=0.51), obesity (13 vs 18, p=0.21), malignancy (6 vs 8, p=0.25), chronic obstructive lung disease (5 vs 6, p=0.24), prolonged immobilization (1 vs 7, p=0.21), major surgery (1 vs 1, p=0.54), stroke (0 vs 3, p=0.62), family history of deep venous thrombosis, immobilizing plaster cast, and congestive heart failure (0 vs 1, p=0.54). Location of thrombi in patients in groups A and B was as follows: 18 patients in group A vs 25 subjects in group B on the left side and 13 patients in group A vs 20 patients in group B on the right side (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Post-thrombotic syndrome correlated with personal history of deep venous thrombosis and previous deep venous thrombosis located in the left lower limb.