Outcome and long-term treatment protocol for topical tacrolimus in oral lichen planus.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Topical tacrolimus has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of oral lichen planus (OLP). However, long-term effects and its optimal application protocol with gradual reduction have not been studied. Accordingly, we analysed the clinical response of OLP to tacrolimus in our daily clinical practice with a focus on the optimal long-term therapeutic scheme. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients diagnosed with OLP and treated with topical tacrolimus (0.03% oral rinse) in a clinical setting between 2015 and 2020. The objective clinical response was measured by a 4-point scale (complete remission, major remission, partial remission and no response), and subjective impairment by a 3-point scale (severe, moderate and none). RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients (74% women; median age: 66 years) were included. Fifty-six (98%) patients had prior treatment with topical steroids. After introduction of tacrolimus, objective remission (major or complete) was reached by 28%, 62%, 87% and 97% of patients after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months respectively. Subjective remission was reported by 16%, 48%, 69% and 83% after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months of treatment respectively. The treatment frequency could be gradually reduced from initially twice daily to once daily or less in 28%, 61%, 78% and 87% after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months respectively; 41% of patients completely suspended the treatment at one point, but 67% of them experienced a relapse after a median time of 3.3 months. Four patients (7%) developed a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) during the observation period. Otherwise, there were only few and minor side-effects. CONCLUSION: Topical tacrolimus can be an effective second-line therapy for OLP refractory to potent topical corticosteroids. The therapy frequency can often be reduced during the maintenance period. Both signs of clinical activity and subjective impairment should guide therapy. Regular follow-up is necessary to recognize possible SCC.

Melanoma of the nail apparatus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of current challenges and prognosis.

Nail apparatus melanoma (NAM) is a rare dermatologic malignancy. Its prognosis is poor because it is often diagnosed late. However, progression and survival of NAM patients have only been studied among small populations. Early biopsy could help to identify suspicious lesions at a less invasive stage. While surgery is generally seen as the treatment of choice, the extent of excision margins and the use of sentinel biopsy remain debated. This systematic review aims to summarize the treatment procedures and observed prognosis in the literature during the last two decades and present pooled survival and progression rates of NAM by using meta-analysis. A systematic review on studies assessing pathology, treatment and prognosis of NAM was carried out up to end of 2018. After evaluation of eligible studies, the main emerging topics were outlined and pooled survival outcomes estimated. A total of 30 articles out of 624 identified records were included for systematic review. Finally, meta-analysis of pooled mortality rates including 18 studies was 4.6 × 100 patient-years (95% CI: 2.7, 6.8) equivalent to 5-year cumulative survival of 77.0%. Additionally, the pooled progression rate based on 17 studies was 6.3 × 100 patient-years (95% CI: 4.1, 8.9) with estimated 5-year cumulative progression-free survival of 68.5%. While the optimal extent of surgical treatment remains debated, prompt biopsy could help to identify early lesions. This is the first study to present pooled survival and progression rates by meta-analysis.

Hidradenitis suppurativa epidemiology: from the first Italian registry in 2009 to the most recent epidemiology updates - Italian Registry Hidradenitis Suppurativa project 2.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is still not fully established with only a few studies reporting its estimates. Prevalence estimates range from 5:10 000 to 4:100. These extremely large variations could be explained by a combination of factors, including different selection procedures, different diagnostic criteria, and variations in the sex and age distribution of the examined samples. OBJECTIVES: To analyze variations between two consecutive Italian Registries on HS. METHODS: Data obtained from the second Italian Registry on HS, named 'Italian Registry Hidradenitis Suppurativa (IRHIS) Project 2', are compared to the previous first Italian registry on HS. RESULTS: Data on 944 patients are reported. The more relevant aspects that characterize IRHIS 2 project, in comparison with the previous first Italian Registry on HS, are as follows: (i) the total number of patients, about fourfold higher; (ii) a more uniform national geographic distribution of the patient population; (iii) a larger number of dermatology units involved; (iv) a larger number of items considered in the data collection; (v) 6 years of difference between the onset of the two registries (2009-2013 vs. 2015-2019). Comparing data of the two registries, there are no statistically significant differences in terms of age at the time of the visit, gender, BMI, smoking habits, age at onset and age at first diagnosis by physician. Interestingly, the mean Sartorius score in the IRHIS project 2 (58.8) was significantly lower compared to the first Italian Registry (78.4). CONCLUSIONS: The importance of the registries, at both national and international levels, in collecting useful real-life data is confirmed by these two Italian projects.

Linkage between patients' characteristics and prescribed systemic treatments for psoriasis: a semantic connectivity map analysis of the Swiss Dermatology Network for Targeted Therapies registry.

BACKGROUND: Several treatment options are currently available for the treatment of psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: To explore the main associations between patients' characteristics and systemic treatments prescribed for psoriasis in a large group of patients observed in real-life clinical practice. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of baseline data collected within the Swiss Dermatology Network for Targeted Therapies registry in Switzerland between March 2011 and December 2017. Semantic map analysis was used in order to capture the best associations between variables taking into account other covariates in the system. RESULTS: A total of 549 patients (mean age 46.7 ± 14.7 years) were included in the analysis. Conventional therapies such as retinoids and methotrexate were associated with no previous systemic therapies for psoriasis, a moderate quality of life (QoL) at therapy onset and older age (≥60 years). Fumaric acid derivatives were associated with mild psoriasis (psoriasis area severity index < 10) and long disease duration (≥20 years). On the other side, cyclosporine and psoralen and ultraviolet A/ultraviolet B treatments were linked to a more severe condition, including impaired QoL, hospitalization and inability to work. Regarding biological therapies, both infliximab and adalimumab were connected to the presence of psoriatic arthritis, severe disease condition and other comorbidities, including chronic liver or kidney diseases and tuberculosis. Etanercept, ustekinumab and secukinumab were all connected to a complex history of previous systemic treatments for psoriasis, moderate disease condition, overweight and university education. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis shows multifaceted associations between patients' characteristics, comorbidities, disease severity and systemic treatments prescribed for psoriasis. In particular, our semantic map indicates that comorbidities play a central role in decision-making of systemic treatments usage for psoriasis. Future studies should further investigate specific connections emerging from our data.

'High dose' vs. 'medium dose' UVA1 phototherapy in italian patients with severe atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: The current evidences attest UVA1 phototherapy as effective in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis (AD). Furthermore, in this indication, 'medium dose' is as effective as 'high dose' regimen. To date, a randomized comparison study evaluating the effectiveness as well as safety of different UVA1 protocols in different skin types in the treatment of adult patients with severe AD is still lacking. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the safety and the efficacy of medium and high dose UVA1 either in fair or in dark skin types. METHODS: Twenty-seven adult patients with severe AD were consecutively included in a randomized, controlled, open, two arms trial Severity of AD was determined by means of SCORAD index and clinical improvement was also monitored. A total of 13 out of 27 patients were treated with high dose (130 J/cm2 ) UVA1 protocol while 14 out of 27 patients received medium dose (60 J/cm2 ) UVA1 protocol. Phototherapy was performed five times weekly up to 3 weeks. Before and after UVA1 treatment each patient was evaluated for skin pigmentation through Melanin Index (MI) quantitative evaluation. RESULTS: Skin status improved in all patients resulting in a reduction of SCORAD index in all groups. Our results demonstrated that among patients with darker skin types and higher MI, high dose UVA1 was significantly more effective than medium dose (P < 0.0001) while within the groups with skin type II, no significant differences between high and medium dose protocols were observed. CONCLUSION: Our study, confirms previous observations that UVA1 phototherapy should be considered among the first approaches in the treatment of patients with severe generalized AD and also demonstrates that in darker skin types, high dose UVA1 phototherapy is more effective than medium dose in the treatment of adult patients with severe AD.

Pushing and loss of elastic fibers are highly specific for melanoma and rare in melanocytic nevi.

The histopathological differentiation of melanocytic nevi from malignant melanoma (MM) is based on well-known criteria, and is straightforward in the vast majority of cases. However, there are few cases of melanocytic lesions (ML), the diagnosis of which is very challenging or even impossible. Here we have studied several morphological characteristics with particular focus on elastic fibers (EF) to identify features, helpful for the distinction between nevi and MM. In a monocentric retrospective study we have analyzed 14 morphological histological characteristics in 30 MMs and 90 nevi, encompassing 30 compound/dermal nevi, 30 junctional nevi, 30 dysplastic nevi. All consecutive cases were retrieved from the archives of our tertiary referral centre during the 6-month study period. Nine characteristics including loss of EF in the ML, loss of EF in lesional fibrosis, pushing of the EF, UV-elastosis, loss of rete ridges of the epidermis, regression of the ML, atrophy of the epidermis, pigment incontinence, and concentric eosinophilic fibroplasia (CEF) showed a statistical significant difference (p < 0.05 and at least an OR > 2) distinguishing nevi from MM. Loss of EF was found in 73.1% of MM cases, but in less than 2.5% of nevi. We identified nine morphological characteristics that are helpful to differentiate melanocytic nevi from MM. A loss of the EF in a ML appeared to be highly associated with MM.

Factors influencing sessions' and speakers' evaluation: an analysis of seven consecutive European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology congress editions.

BACKGROUND: The variables affecting participants' satisfaction with a scientific conference in dermatology have not been systematically assessed. The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) has collected a huge number of questionnaires related to sessions' and speakers' evaluation over the years. The critical analysis of satisfaction's score is important and helpful for continuous improvement of the scientific programming. OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that positively or negatively affect sessions' and speakers' scoring in the largest European congress of dermatology. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of all sessions' evaluation forms collected between 2009 and 2015 during seven consecutive EADV congresses. A predictive model for sessions' and another for speakers' score evaluation were built based on multivariate linear regression. RESULTS: Overall, 4964 speakers and 1022 sessions were evaluated. Topics more positively associated with total sessions' scoring were as follows: dermoscopy, neutrophilic diseases and hidradenitis suppurativa. Conversely, types of sessions which considerably negatively associated with total sessions' scoring included short thematic presentations and free communications. Furthermore, types of sessions which were more positively associated with high total speakers' scoring consisted of focus sessions and plenary lectures, whereas the most appreciated topics encompassed dermoscopy, screening programs, melanocytic naevi, panniculitis, organ transplanted and immunosuppressed patients, neutrophilic diseases, dermatopathology and history of dermatology. Finally, short thematic presentations, free communications and guidelines session showed overall poor scores. CONCLUSION: Focused and specialized topics are more prone to capture attention of participants when compared to sessions of heterogeneous content. Quite surprisingly, a practice-oriented topics such as guidelines, did not achieve a high score. Our findings provide new knowledge about components, which increase the level of satisfaction of participants and should facilitate the programming of attractive scientific congresses associated with increased training satisfaction.

Cumulative exposure to biological therapy and risk of cancer in patients with psoriasis: a meta-analysis of Psonet studies from Israel, Italy, Spain, the U.K. and Republic of Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Cancer risk following long-term exposure to systemic immunomodulatory therapies in patients with psoriasis is possible. OBJECTIVES: To assess a dose-response relationship between cumulative length of exposure to biological therapy and risk of cancer. METHODS: Four national studies (a healthcare database from Israel, and prospective cohorts form Italy, Spain and the U.K. and Republic of Ireland) collaborating through Psonet (European Registry of Psoriasis) participated in these nested case-control studies, including nearly 60 000 person-years of observation. 'Cases' were patients who developed an incident cancer. Patients with previous cancers and benign or in situ tumours were excluded. Four cancer-free controls were matched to each case on year of birth, sex, geographic area and registration year. Follow-up for controls was censored at the date of cancer diagnosis for the matched case. Conditional logistic regression was performed by each registry. Results were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 728 cases and 2671 controls were identified. After matching, differences between cases and controls were present for the Charlson Comorbidity Index in all three registries, and in the prevalence of previous exposure to psoralen-ultraviolet A and smoking (the British Association of Dermatologists Biologic Interventions Register only). The risk of first cancers was not significantly associated with cumulative exposure to biologics (adjusted odds ratio per year of exposure 1·02, 95% confidence interval 0·92-1·13). Results were similar if squamous and basal cell carcinomas were included in the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Cumulative length of exposure to biological therapies in patients with psoriasis in real-world clinical practice does not appear to be linked to a higher risk of cancer after several years of use.

Validation of a visual-aided questionnaire for the self-assessment of hidradenitits suppurativa.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, highly debilitating disease. Few questionnaires have been developed to identify potential HS cases based on simple questions. A visual representation may help in characterising these lesions. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a visually assisted questionnaire for HS detection. METHODS: This was an observational diagnostic study on a series of patients with a first diagnosis of HS and a corresponding series of age and gender-matched controls consecutively observed in two Italian centres. The questionnaire was developed based on a critical appraisal of the relevant literature and on expert consensus. Measures of accuracy and reproducibility were assessed. RESULTS: 57 patients with HS and 57 controls were included in the study (mean age 32.9 ± 12.3 years). Based on at least one affirmative answer to the proposed questionnaire items, the accuracy was 95.6%, with a sensitivity of 98.2% and a specificity of 93.0%. Reproducibility was almost perfect on all the tested items (Cohen's kappa ≥ 0.85). LIMITATIONS: The questionnaire was tested only in experimental conditions. CONCLUSION: The questionnaire could be a useful tool for HS screening in the general population. Further studies are needed to confirm its performance in a real-world setting.