Combination of 5% cysteamine and 4% nicotinamide in melasma: Efficacy, tolerability, and safety.

BACKGROUND: Melasma is a chronic dermatosis that impacts the patient's quality of life and can present considerable challenges in terms of effective treatment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness, tolerability, and safety of 5% cysteamine combined with 4% nicotinamide in female subjects with melasma. METHODS: This single-center, single-arm, prospective, open-label study evaluated patients with melasma using a combination cream of 5% cysteamine and 4% nicotinamide in a progressive regimen (60 min in the first month, 120 min in the second month, and 180 min in the third month). RESULTS: Overall, 35 treated subjects exhibited reduced modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) (p < 0.001) and decreased MelasQoL scores (p < 0.001), accompanied by improved brightness, luminosity, homogeneity, and spot intensity (p < 0.001). Photographic and colorimetric analysis revealed smaller spots and improved homogeneity. LIMITATIONS: Adherence to progressive daily treatment could not be evaluated long-term. CONCLUSION: A combination cream comprising 5% cysteamine and 4% nicotinamide was effective, tolerable, and safe for treating melasma.

Assessment of lifestyle, blood pressure, and cholesterol in pharmaceutical industry professionals.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Objectives: To elucidate the lifestyle of in pharmaceutical company professionals, evaluating cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: This is an observational, longitudinal, and prospective study conducted with 1,875 individuals of both sexes. In addition to a questionnaire to identify participants' lifestyle, calculation of body mass index, blood pressure measurement, and collection of blood samples to measure serum total cholesterol and glycated hemoglobin were performed. Results: 83% of respondents had never smoked; 48.1% did not perform regular physical activity, and women tended to perform less physical activity than men; 57.6% consumed less than two servings of fruits or vegetables per day; 63.8% consumed fish less than once per week; 51.6% consumed less than one glass of sugary drinks per day, with women consuming fewer sugary drinks than men. Most participants had a body mass index from 25 to 29.9 m/kg2 or from 18.5 to 24.9 m/kg2 (43.6%), total cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL (75.1%), glycated hemoglobin below 5.7% (86.0%), systolic blood pressure from 120 to 139 mmHg (47.6%), and diastolic blood pressure below 80 mmHg (56.1%). Conclusions: The data obtained in this study are consistent with those from the literature, demonstrating that it possible to improve habits such as smoking, diet, and physical activity.

Introdução: As doenças cardiovasculares representam a maior causa de morte em todo o mundo. Objetivos: Elucidar o estilo de vida de profissionais de uma indústria farmacêutica, avaliando os fatores de risco cardiovascular. Métodos: Tratou-se de um estudo observacional, longitudinal e prospectivo, realizado com 1.875 indivíduos de ambos os sexos. Além de questionário para identificar o estilo de vida, foram realizados cálculo do índice de massa corporal, aferição da pressão arterial e coleta de amostra de sangue para dosagem de colesterol total sérico e hemoglobina glicada. Resultados: 83% nunca tinham fumado; 48,1% não faziam atividade física regularmente e mulheres tendiam a realizar menos atividades físicas do que homens; 57,6% consumiam menos de duas porções de frutas ou verduras por dia; 63,8% consumiam peixe menos de uma vez por semana; 51,6% consumiam menos de um copo por dia de bebidas com açúcar, sendo que as mulheres consumiam menos bebidas açucaradas do que homens. A maioria dos participantes apresentou índice de massa corporal entre 25 e 29,9 m/kg2 ou entre 18,5 e 24,9 m/kg2 (43,6%), colesterol total abaixo de 200 mg/dL (75,1%), hemoglobina glicada abaixo de 5,7% (86,0%), pressão arterial sistólica entre 120-139 mmHg (47,6%), e pressão arterial diastólica menor que 80 mmHg (56,1%). Conclusões: Os dados são condizentes com informações de literatura, demonstrando que é possível melhorar hábitos como tabagismo, alimentação e prática de atividade física regularmente.