Mask-induced dermatoses during the COVID-19 pandemic: a questionnaire-based study in 12 Korean hospitals.

BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, various adverse skin reactions to long-term mask wearing have been reported. AIM: To assess the clinical features of mask-induced dermatoses and to recommend prevention and treatment options. METHODS: From April to August 2020, questionnaires including topics such as demographic information, pre-existing skin disorders, reported mask-related symptoms, daily mask-wearing duration and frequency, types of masks used and whether the participant was a healthcare worker, were distributed to patients in 12 hospitals. Dermatologists assessed skin lesions, confirmed diagnosis and recorded treatments. RESULTS: Itchiness was the most frequent symptom, mostly affecting the cheeks. The most common skin disease was new-onset contact dermatitis (33.94%), followed by new-onset acne (16.97%) and worsening of pre-existing acne (16.97%). Daily wearing of masks was significantly (P = 0.02) associated with new-onset contact dermatitis. More than half of patients with pre-existing skin problems experienced disease worsening while wearing masks. Longer duration of wearing (> 6 h/day, P = 0.04) and use of cotton masks (P < 0.001) significantly increased acne flare-up. Healthcare workers had a higher incidence of skin disease. Skin lesions were generally mild and well tolerated with topical treatment. The study had some limitations: the effect of seasonal characteristics and other risk factors were not assessed, and the patients were visiting dermatological clinics and had interest in their skin status, thus, there may have been selection bias. CONCLUSION: Mask-induced/-triggered dermatoses contribute to increase the dermatological burden during the pandemic.

Psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis: follow-up and nested case-control studies using a national sample cohort.

A total of 25,306 psoriasis participants were matched to 101,224 controls, and the occurrence of osteoporosis was analyzed. Additionally, 79,212 osteoporosis patients were matched to 79,212 controls and a previous history of psoriasis was analyzed. Psoriasis increased the risk of osteoporosis among participants aged ≥ 40 years. INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between psoriasis and osteoporosis using two different studies. METHODS: Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort of participants aged ≥ 40 years were collected from 2002 to 2013. Psoriasis and osteoporosis were included using International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes. In study I (a follow-up study), a total of 25,306 psoriasis participants were matched to 101,224 controls with respect to age, sex, income, and region of residence, and the occurrence of osteoporosis was analyzed. Crude (simple) and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were analyzed using a stratified Cox proportional hazard model. In study II (a nested case-control study), a total of 79,212 osteoporosis patients were matched to 79,212 controls and a previous history of psoriasis was analyzed. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were analyzed using a conditional logistic regression analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age group and sex. RESULTS: The adjusted HR of osteoporosis was 1.09 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-1.13, P < 0.001) in study I. In the subgroup analysis according to age and sex, the results were consistent except for ≥ 60-year-old women. The adjusted OR of psoriasis was 1.21 (95% CI = 1.16-1.27, P < 0.001) in study II. All subgroups demonstrated high adjusted ORs of osteoporosis for psoriasis. CONCLUSIONS: Psoriasis increased the risk of osteoporosis among participants aged ≥ 40 years in Korea.

3D wide-field multispectral photoacoustic imaging of human melanomas in vivo: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The Breslow depth is an important parameter to determine the excision margin and prognosis of melanoma. However, it is difficult to accurately determine the actual Breslow depth before surgery using the existing ocular micrometer and biopsy technique. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the use of 3D wide-field multispectral photoacoustic imaging to non-invasively measure depth and outline the boundary of melanomas for optimal surgical margin selection. METHODS: Six melanoma patients were examined in vivo using the 3D multispectral photoacoustic imaging system. For five cases of melanomas (one in situ, three nodular, and one acral lentiginous type melanoma), the spectrally unmixed photoacoustic depths were calculated and compared against histopathological depths. RESULTS: Spectrally unmixed photoacoustic depths and histopathological depths match well within a mean absolute error of 0.36 mm. In particular, the measured minimum and maximum depths in the in situ and nodular type of melanoma were 0.6 and 9.1 mm, respectively. In the 3D photoacoustic image of one metastatic melanoma, feeding vessels were visualized in the melanoma, suggesting the neovascularization around the tumour. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D multispectral photoacoustic imaging not only provides well-measured depth and sizes of various types of melanomas, it also visualizes the metastatic type of melanoma. Obtaining accurate depth and boundary information of melanoma before surgery would play a useful role in the complete excision of melanoma during surgery.