ABSTRACT
Acquired perforating dermatosis is a rare condition often associated with some systemic diseases, especially diabetic patients with chronic renal failure undergoing dialysis. The main symptom is pruritus and it is clinically characterized by the presence of redish-brown papular lesions in the trunk, head and neck. Biopsy of the lesion reveals epidermal invagination with keratotic plug. The etiology is poorly understood and several therapeutic measures have been disappointing.
Subject(s)
Keratosis/etiology , Kidney Failure, Chronic/complications , Biopsy , Female , Humans , Keratosis/pathology , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Dermatose perfurante adquirida é uma condição rara, em geral associada a algumas doenças sistêmicas, ocorrendo especialmente em pacientes diabéticos com insuficiência renal crônica submetidos a diálise. O sintoma principal é o prurido e a apresentação clínica característica é a presença de lesões papulares marrom-avermelhadas no tronco, cabeça e pescoço. Biópsia da lesão revela invaginação epidérmica com preenchimento por plug ceratótico. A etiologia é pouco compreendida e várias tentativas terapêuticas têm sido desapontadoras.
Acquired perforating dermatosis is a rare condition often associated with some systemic diseases, especially diabetic patients with chronic renal failure undergoing dialysis. The main symptom is pruritus and it is clinically characterized by the presence of redish-brown papular lesions in the trunk, head and neck. Biopsy of the lesion reveals epidermal invagination with keratotic plug. The etiology is poorly understood and several therapeutic measures have been disappointing.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Leg Ulcer/pathology , Skin Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The main objectives of this study were to characterize low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and the physical therapy clinical procedures for its use. BACKGROUND DATA: There are few scientific studies that characterize the calibration of LLLT equipment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty lasers at 36 physical therapy clinics were selected. The equipment was characterized through data collected from the owner manuals, direct consultation with the manufacturers, and a questionnaire answered by the users. A digital potency analyzer was used to calibrate released mean potency. Qualitative data were presented throughout the descriptive statistics and quantitative data were analyzed by the Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher tests (significance, p < 0.05). RESULTS: The laser equipment was either AsGa (70.5%) or HeNe (23.5%), and 60% was analog and acquired over 5 years ago. The majority of the equipment was used 10-15 times per week and the most frequent density level used was 2 to 4 J/cm(2). Protective goggles were available in only 19.4% of the clinics evaluated. The association between the analyzed categories demonstrated that a lower mean potency was correlated both with equipment acquired over 5 years ago and analog technology. The determined mean potency was lower than the one claimed by the manufacturer (p < 0.05). In 30 cases, the analyzed equipment presented a potency between 3 microW and 5.6 mW; in three cases, the potency was >25 mW; and in seven cases, potency was nonexistent. CONCLUSION: The analyzed equipment was out-dated and periodical maintenance was not conducted, which was reflected in the low irradiated potency.
Subject(s)
Equipment Failure Analysis , Low-Level Light Therapy/instrumentation , Physical Therapy Modalities/instrumentation , Calibration , Equipment Design , Lasers, Gas , Lasers, SemiconductorABSTRACT
Introdução: A Proteína C Reativa (PCR) é um marcador de atividade inflamatória em diversas situações clínicas. Sabe-se que o tabagismo pode por si só induzir inflamação sistêmica e que é o principal fator de risco para a Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica (DPOC). A DPOC está associada com uma inflamação crônica das vias aéreas e com uma inflamação sistêmica de baixo grau. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os níveis de PCR em indivíduos saudáveis e tabagistas sem manifestações clínicas de DPOC, correlacionando-os com a função pulmonar e a carga tabágica. Material e métodos: Foram estudados 30 tabagistas e 30 controles não-tabagistas, que realizaram dosagem da PCR sérica e medida do pico de fluxo expiratório. Resultados: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os valores da PCR nos fumantes (2,19 ± 1,33 mg/L) e controles (2,68 ± 2,75 mg/L). Houve uma correlação significativa entre os níveis de PCR e a carga tabágica medida em anos/maço (R2 = 0,2962). Os tabagistas que fumavam mais de 10 anos/maço apresentaram níveis de PCR significativamente maiores (4,3 ± 4,17 mg/L) em relação aos que fumavam menos de 10 maços/ano (1,88 ± 1,12 mg/L). Conclusão: A PCR foi capaz de detectar a presença de inflamação sistêmica em fumantes de mais de 10 anos/maço antes mesmo de estes apresentarem manifestações clínicas de DPOC, podendo ser útil no diagnóstico precoce desta doença
Introduction: C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammatory activity inseveral clinical situations. Was known that smoking can itself to induce systemic inflammation and it is the major risk factor for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD is associated with a chronic inflammation of the airways and with a low-grade systemic inflammation. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the CRP levels in healthy individuals and in smokers without clinical manifestations of COPD, correlating it with the pulmonary function and tobacco load. Materials and Methods: Were studied 30 current smokers e 30 never-smokers controls, that performed CRP dosing and peak expiratory flow measurement. Results: No difference was found between CRP levels in smokers (2.19 ± 1.33 mg/L) and controls (2.68 ± 2.75 mg/L). Was found a significant correlation between CRP levels and the tobacco load measured in pack/years (R2 = 0.2962). Smokers that smoke more than 10 pack/years showed CRP levels significantly higher (4.3 ± 4.17 mg/L) than who smokes less than 10 pack/years (1.88 ± 1.12 mg/L). Conclusion: CRP was able todetect the presence of systemic inflammation in smokers of more than 10 pack/years, just before them present clinical manifestations of COPD, and could be useful in the early diagnosis of this disease
