A multicenter, randomized, open-label pilot trial assessing the efficacy and safety of etanercept 50 mg twice weekly followed by etanercept 25 mg twice weekly, the combination of etanercept 25 mg twice weekly and acitretin, and acitretin alone in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Etanercept, a soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor, and acitretin have been shown to be effective in treating psoriasis. Acitretin is widely used in Korea. However, the combination of etanercept plus acitretin has not been evaluated among Korean patients with psoriasis. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with etanercept and acitretin in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. METHODS: Sixty patients with psoriasis were randomized to receive etanercept 50 mg twice weekly (BIW) for 12 weeks followed by etanercept 25 mg BIW for 12 weeks (ETN-ETN); etanercept 25 mg BIW plus acitretin 10 mg twice daily (BID) for 24 weeks (ETN-ACT); or acitretin 10 mg BID for 24 weeks (ACT). The primary efficacy measurement was the proportion of patients achieving 75 % improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) at week 24. Secondary end points included 50 % improvement in PASI (PASI 50) at week 24 and clear/almost-clear by Physician Global Assessment (PGA) at each visit through week 24. RESULTS: The proportions of patients achieving PASI 75, PASI 50, and PGA clear/almost-clear at week 24 in the ETN-ETN (52.4, 71.4, and 52.4 %, respectively) and ETN-ACT groups (57.9, 84.2, and 52.6 %, respectively) were higher than in the ACT group (22.2, 44.4, and 16.7 %, respectively). The incidence of adverse events was similar across all arms. This was an open-label study with a small number of patients. CONCLUSION: In Korean patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, etanercept alone or in combination with acitretin was more effective than acitretin. All treatments were well tolerated throughout the study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered on July 7, 2009 at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00936065 .

Epidemiological analysis of the patients with psoriasis in Asian countries and region using the same clinical case cards between 2020 and 2022.

Although many epidemiological surveys for patients with psoriasis have been reported based on individual countries or facilities, there has been no study encompassing the major countries or the region in Asia. The Asian Society for Psoriasis (ASP) has been conducting an epidemiological study across various Asian countries and regions to elucidate the and compare the epidemiology of psoriasis. A total of 1948 cases were analyzed, with 938 cases from Japan, 530 cases from China, 325 cases from Korea, 141 cases from Chinese Taipei, and 14 cases from Thailand, all of which were enrolled between 2020 and 2022. In the Asian region total, the male-female ratio was 1.87:1 and the peak age at disease onset was 20-29 years. The proportion of psoriasis vulgaris (PsV), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and pustular psoriasis (PP) was 80.1%, 17.7%, and 2.2%, respectively, and PsA was more commonly associated with nail symptoms than psoriasis vulgaris (PsV). Of the patients, 13% had a familial history of psoriasis and the most frequently affected family member was the father. Regarding treatment, 78.3% of the patients received topical medications, 9.0% underwent phototherapy, 34.0% received oral medications, and 36.1% were treated with biological agents. This study provided valuable information on the epidemiology and treatment of psoriasis using the registry data collected with the common reporting form in the same period in major Asian countries and regions. Male predominance is a distinctive feature of psoriasis in Asia. This epidemiological data registry in the ASP will continue afterwards.

Effectiveness of calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate aerosol foam in patients with small versus large plaque psoriasis in routine practice in South Korea.

Small plaque psoriasis is the typical form of chronic plaque psoriasis affecting adults in South Korea. The effectiveness of calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BD) aerosol foam for large and small psoriasis plaques has not previously been examined. We performed a post hoc analysis of a recent, 4-week observational study of Cal/BD aerosol foam use in routine clinical practice in South Korea. Investigator Global Assessment response ([IGA] 0/1 at week 4), Patient Global Assessment response ([PaGA] 0/1 at week 4), change in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), changes in psoriasis symptom scores, change in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and the proportion of patients achieving DLQI ≤5 were analyzed for patients with small (≤5 cm; n = 131) or large (>5 cm; n = 35) baseline plaque size. IGA response rates were similar for patients with small and large plaques (59.5% and 51.4% respectively). Similarly, there was no significant difference between the small and large groups in mean change in PASI (-2.20 vs -3.34), the proportions of patients with DLQI ≤5 (62.3% vs 54.3%) or PaGA 0/1 (29.2% vs 40.0%). Mean improvements in DLQI (-4.04 vs -6.20) and in psoriasis symptoms including itching (-1.50 vs -2.83), sleep loss (-0.67 vs -1.89), dryness (-1.57 vs -2.97), scaling (-1.21 vs -3.57), and redness (-1.17 vs -3.11) were greater in patients with large plaques than those with small plaques. Itching and DLQI differences were not statistically significant after adjustment for baseline characteristics. Stratification by body surface area affected eliminated statistically significant differences between the groups for most outcomes. In conclusion, this analysis suggests that Cal/BD aerosol foam is an effective, well-accepted treatment for adult patients with the small plaques typical of chronic plaque psoriasis in South Korea, as well as for those with large plaques.

Effect of Janus Kinase 3 Inhibitor on Sebaceous Gland Regeneration during Skin Wound Healing.

BACKGROUND: Janus kinase (Jak) 3 has recently been shown as a beneficial target for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as psoriasis and alopecia areata. The role of Jak3 in tissue repair and remodeling is emerging. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the role of Jak3 signaling in the remodeling of the sebaceous gland (SG) during skin wound repair, and the development of in vitro SGs. METHODS: Mouse skin tissue (ICR mouse) was obtained from the recovered skin eight days after a 4 mm biopsy punch wound. To observe the role of Jak3, the selective inhibitors WHI-p131 and PF06651600 was administered. Formation of in vitro SG was examined using primary sebocyte cultures obtained postnatally from 3-day-old mice. RESULTS: The data showed that SGs showed highly positive signals with anti-isolectin B4, which also used for detection of angiogenetic vessels and the basal epidermis. Isolectin B4 could be a good indicator of SGs. The Jak3 inhibitors significantly reduced the area and volume of SG remodeling with reduced expression of p-Jak3. In addition, the area of cultured intact SG in vitro was significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner by Jak3 inhibition. CONCLUSION: These data showed that Jak3 signaling is a potent regulator to develop SGs. Jak3 inhibition did not decrease the number of sebocytes in SGs but decreased the area and volume of SG remodeling. Therefore, Jak3 inhibition may be a potential target for the treatment of SG hyperplasia and associated skin diseases.

Periodontal disease does not increase the risk of subsequent psoriasis.

Previous studies suggested that chronic periodontitis may be a risk factor for psoriasis. However, no study has confirmed this relationship for all stages of periodontal disease (gingivitis and periodontitis). This nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate whether periodontal disease is an independent risk factor for the development of subsequent psoriasis. Patients aged ≥ 20 years who underwent both medical and oral checkups from the National Health Screening Program between 2002 and 2007 were selected from a customized database provided by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Then, patients with periodontal disease (n = 3,682,468) and without periodontal disease (control, n = 3,637,128) according to oral examination results were identified. We tracked each patient for subsequent psoriasis diagnosis until the end of 2018 using NHIS database. The incidence rates of psoriasis per 1000 person-years were 0.36 and 0.34 in the periodontal disease group and control groups, respectively. After adjusting for potential cofactors, no significant increase in risk (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.994; 95% confidence interval, 0.974-1.015) was observed. Similar results were observed when analyzing the risk of psoriasis in patients who required scaling or periodontal surgery. In conclusion, periodontal disease is not an independent risk factor of psoriasis.

Ustekinumab improves health-related quality of life in Korean and Taiwanese patients with moderate to severe psoriasis: results from the PEARL trial.

BACKGROUND: The PEARL study showed that the proportion of psoriasis patients achieving the primary endpoint (at least 75% improvement from baseline to week 12 in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) was significantly higher in ustekinumab-treated patients compared with placebo. There is a paucity of data regarding the impact of psoriasis and its treatment on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Asian patients. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of ustekinumab on HRQoL in Korean/Taiwanese patients with moderate to severe psoriasis enrolled in the phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled PEARL study. METHODS: In the PEARL study, 121 patients were randomized to receive ustekinumab 45 mg at weeks 0, 4, and 16 (n=61) or placebo at weeks 0 and 4 with crossover to ustekinumab at weeks 12 and 16 (n=60). A major secondary endpoint was the change in Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) from baseline at week 12. Other endpoints included the change in individual DLQI domains, proportion of patients achieving DLQI ≤ 1 (no negative effect), and proportion of patients achieving ≥ 5-point reduction in DLQI (clinically meaningful improvement) at week 12. RESULTS: At baseline, psoriasis had a very large effect on HRQoL (average DLQI, 15.7). At week 12, patients treated with ustekinumab 45 mg had significantly greater improvement from baseline in DLQI scores compared with placebo (mean decrease, 11.2 vs 0.5 (P<0.001). Likewise, 32.2% and 1.7% of patients receiving ustekinumab 45 mg and placebo, respectively, achieved a DLQI ≤ 1, and 81.4% and 18.3% achieved ≥ 5-point reduction (both P<0.001 vs placebo). Individual DLQI domains in the ustekinumab group were significantly improved compared with placebo (P<0.001). For ustekinumab-randomized patients, HRQoL improvements were sustained through week 28. Placebo patients who crossed over to ustekinumab experienced similar improvements compared with those randomized to ustekinumab. CONCLUSIONS: Ustekinumab significantly improves HRQoL in Korean/Taiwanese patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

Low detection rate of human papillomavirus in patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma

Background: The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in keratoacanthoma (KA) remains unclear. Objectives: To identify possible differences in HPV DNA, detected by next-generation sequencing (NGS), between KAs and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs), which may suggest different pathogenesis. Materials & Methods: We extracted DNA from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks from samples of 151 patients (105 with cSCCs and 46 with KAs). HPV DNA was detected using the NGS-based Ezplex® kit. HPV detection rates and other clinical characteristics were compared. Results: HPV was detected in 6.7% (7/105) of cSCC and 10.9% (5/46) of KA samples. Eight alpha-HPV genotypes (16, 57, 81, 31, 33, 45, 53, and 58) were detected, with HPV 16 being the most common. Only one type (57) is commonly classified as cutaneous type, and the rest are all mucosal types. HPV detection rate did not significantly differ between the KA and cSCC groups. Conclusion: HPV detection was relatively low in KA and cSCC samples. HPV might be related to the pathogenesis of only selected KA and cSCC cases.

Calcipotriol/betamethasone aerosol foam (Enstilum) for the topical treatment of psoriasis vulgaris in routine practice in Korea: A prospective, noninterventional, multicenter study of treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction.

An innovative foam formulation for the fixed-dose combination of calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BD) has recently become available for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. Observational studies of patients treated with Cal/BD foam in routine practice have been conducted in several Western countries, but there are limited data on outcomes in Asian patients. We performed a prospective, open-label, noncomparative, noninterventional study to investigate treatment outcomes and satisfaction in adult patients receiving Cal/BD foam for psoriasis vulgaris in dermatological centers and outpatient clinics in Korea. Data were collected at the time of enrollment (Visit 1) and at a routine clinic visit ~4 weeks later (Visit 2). In total, 218 patients were enrolled, of whom 175 were included in the safety analysis set (58.9% male; mean age ± standard deviation 46.7 ± 15.1 years; use of Cal/BD foam at least once daily 74.3%). Of the safety analysis set, 166 patients had at least mild psoriasis (Investigator Global Assessment [IGA] ≥ 2) and were analyzed for treatment outcomes and satisfaction. Of the 166 patients, 71.7% had mild psoriasis (IGA 2) at baseline. The majority (57.8%) achieved an IGA of 0/1 (clear/almost clear) at Visit 2. The Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) showed significant improvements from Visit 1 to Visit 2 (PASI -2.4 ± 3.0, DLQI -4.5 ± 5.2, both P < 0.0001). Most of the patients were satisfied with the Cal/BD foam treatment; 77.0%, 60.0%, and 73.9% were satisfied in terms of effectiveness, ease of use, and global satisfaction, respectively. In the safety analysis set, adverse events were reported in 13 patients (7.4%). In conclusion, this first Korean real-world study of Cal/BD foam shows improvement of lesions and health-related quality of life after 4 weeks of treatment, with high global satisfaction and good overall tolerability and safety.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Inhibitor-Associated Psoriatic Alopecia in a Patient with Ulcerative Colitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Paradoxical reactions in patients treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (TNFis) have an estimated prevalence of 1.5% to 5%. Such reactions usually present as psoriasiform eruptions on the trunk and extremities along with palmar and flexural involvement. When affecting the scalp, new-onset psoriasis induced by TNFi can result in non-scarring or scarring alopecia. Although the paradoxical reaction was first reported in 2003, this TNFi-associated psoriatic alopecia (TiAPA) has been recently reported with increasing frequency. This condition is characteristically reversible and requires clinical and histopathological identification from other diseases for proper treatment. The cessation of TNFi therapy may not be mandatory, and decision to continue TNFi therapy depends on the severity of TiAPA and the risk-benefit ratio of treatment modification on the underlying disease. Herein, we report a case of TiAPA in a patient with inflammatory bowel disease whose alopecia improved following suspension of TNFi. We also describe the clinical and histopathological diagnostic criteria based on review of the literature.

Human papillomavirus is more frequently detected in the pelvic than non-pelvic area in patients with squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen's disease).

BACKGROUND: The detection rate of human papillomavirus (HPV) in Bowen's disease (BD) varies greatly. OBJECTIVES: To detect HPV DNA in BD samples using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and compare HPV detection rates between pelvic and non-pelvic BD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 99 patients with BD in our institution. DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks. The presence of HPV DNA material was detected using special kit-based NGS technology. Clinical characteristics and HPV detection rates were then compared between pelvic and non-pelvic BD samples. RESULTS: HPV was detected in 26 (26.3%) BD samples. A total of 10 types of α-HPV was detected: HPV 16, 53, 31, 58, 66, 26, 27, 57, 45, and 72. The most common HPV type was 16 (12.1%). Only two types (27 and 57) were frequently classified as cutaneous type, and the rest were mucosal types. The HPV detection rate was significantly higher in pelvic BD (45.2%) compared to non-pelvic BD (17.6%). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that sexually transmitted mucosal α-HPV plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of BD, especially in the pelvic region.

Adult-onset lichen striatus versus adult blaschkitis: a clinicopathological review of 40 cases of acquired blaschkolinear inflammatory dermatosis.

BACKGROUND: Since the first description of adult blaschkitis (AB), the existence of this entity has been a matter of great debate. OBJECTIVES: To compare clinicopathological features of lichen striatus (LS) and AB cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathological features of patients who clinically showed linear inflammatory dermatosis along Blaschko's lines based on a skin biopsy registry. RESULTS: Through a process of clinicopathological differential diagnosis, 27 cases of LS, three of AB, eight of linear lichen planus, and two of linear psoriasis were identified. Clinicopathological differences between LS and AB were mostly insignificant except for age at onset and multiple site involvement. In these cases, females were affected more frequently than males. The mean age at onset was 31.6 years, and the most common involved site was the leg. The lesions lasted approximately 8.3 months with few relapses. The most common histopathological finding was perivascular infiltration followed by peri-appendageal infiltration. CONCLUSION: Distinction between LS and AB appears to be unnecessary given their overlapping features.

Usefulness of the Psoriatic Arthritis Screening and Evaluation Questionnaire to Monitor Disease Activity in Management of Patients with Psoriasis: Findings from the EPI-PSODE Study.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are included in the group of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) caused by systemic inflammation; however, indicators for monitoring inflammatory activity in patients with psoriasis, such as the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), are limited. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the Psoriatic Arthritis Screening and Evaluation (PASE) questionnaire can be used to monitor disease activity in patients with psoriasis. METHODS: This was a multicenter, noninterventional, cross-sectional study. Demographic factors and PASI and PASE scores were collected to investigate associations between each. RESULTS: PASE data were available for 1,255 patients, of whom 498 (39.7%) had a score of ≥37. Compared with the group with PASE score <37, the group with score ≥37 had a higher proportion of women (34.9% vs. 48.8%, p<0.0001), older mean age at diagnosis (36.4 vs. 41.7 years, p<0.0001), more severe disease activity using PASI and body surface area measures (p=0.0021 and p=0.0008, respectively), and higher mean body mass index (23.7 vs. 24.1, p=0.0411). In a multiple linear regression model, PASE score was positively associated with cutaneous disease activity (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: After risk-adjustment, PASE was positively associated with PASI, which suggests that PASE can be sensitive to disease activity. Since psoriasis is regarded as one of the IMIDs, PASE may be utilized as a tool not only to screen PsA but also to monitor disease activity.

Asian consensus on assessment and management of mild to moderate plaque psoriasis with topical therapy.

A working group of dermatologists in Asian countries assessed the current status of psoriatic management in the region to prepare a consensus report on topical treatment in mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. Even though the association of psoriasis with systemic comorbidities is increasingly acknowledged, psoriasis is still lower in health-care priority lists in the region. The psychosocial impact of psoriasis may be greater in Asian countries due to cultural norms and social discrimination. Non-adherence to treatment is also common among Asians. The current care given to patients with mild to moderate psoriasis needs to be streamlined, enhanced and organized with a patient-centered care approach to achieve better outcomes. A comprehensive assessment of the disease severity and its impact on a patient's life is required before initiating treatment. Education and active involvement of the patient in the treatment plan is an important part of psoriatic management. It is recommended to personalize topical treatment to meet the needs of the patient, depending on disease severity, psychosocial impact, the patient's expectations and, more importantly, the patient's willingness and ability to actively follow the treatment procedure. Fixed-dose combination of corticosteroid and vitamin D analogs is the preferred topical medication for both initial and maintenance phases of treatment. The fast containment of the disease is the goal of the initial phase of 4-8 weeks and it demands a potent fast-acting topical therapy. Satisfactory control of the disease and prevention of relapses should be achieved during the maintenance phase with twice a week or weekend applications.

Clinical Course of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria in the Korean Adult Population.

Knowledge of the clinical course of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) remains unclear. The purpose of our study was to investigate the clinical course of CSU in the Korean adult population. Each patient in the CSU group who was defined by disease codes between 2003 and 2007 was tracked whether he or she went into remission or not until 2013. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was carried out to analyze remission, and log-rank tests were performed for between-group comparisons. Demographic differences between subjects who went into remission 1 year after the initial diagnosis and those who did not were analyzed using χ² tests. A total of 13,969 subjects were included in the CSU group. The 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year remission rates of CSU were 21.5%, 33.0%, 38.9%, 42.6%, and 44.6%, respectively. The proportion of subjects in the 65+ age group (P=0.050) and with male gender (P=0.002) was significantly higher among subjects who did not go into remission 1 year after the initial diagnosis. Our study indicates that CSU could have a more persistent course than previously reported.

Updated view on epidemiology and clinical aspects of pilomatricoma in adults.

BACKGROUND: Clinically, pilomatricoma offers potential for a wide spectrum of differential diagnoses. It typically occurs in pediatric patients with the head being the most common location. A second peak of clinical presentation occurs in adults at age 50-65 years, suggesting a bimodal pattern of occurrence. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and epidemiological features of pilomatricoma in adults over 20 years old, as it is a common and frequently misdiagnosed tumor. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of pilomatricomas surgically removed at a tertiary hospital between January 1994 and December 2014. A search of the all-pathological database of patients aged over 20 years old with a pathological diagnosis of pilomatricoma was carried out. RESULTS: The clinical preoperative diagnosis of pilomatricoma was made in 34.0% of cases. Tumor location showed a predilection to the head and neck. Of the reported concomitant neoplasm, a majority had accompanying skin tumors. CONCLUSION: We conclude that clinical features in adults were similar to those of children. This study outlines clinical presentations that should help to guide differential diagnoses. Additionally, because of similarities between the distribution and depth of vellus hair follicles and pilomatricomas, it is probable that vellus hair bulbs may be the origin of this tumor.

Increased Risk of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria in Patients With Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases: A Nationwide, Population-based Study.

There was no previous population-based study on the comparison of the risk of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) between autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) and age- and gender-matched controls. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of CSU after diagnosis of AITD using national registry data from Korea. The secondary objective was to evaluate other risk factors of CSU. Based on the disease code diagnoses in 2003-2005, we composed an AITD group (n=3,659) and an age- and gender-matched control group (n=18,295). Each patient was tracked for whether CSU occurs or not until 2013. After adjusting for demographic differences and comorbidities, patients with AITD had a significantly higher rate of CSU compared to the control group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-1.70; P<0.001). Among the AITD patients, the adjusted HR for CSU was higher in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HR, 1.50) than in those with Grave's disease (HR, 1.33), although the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.368). Analysis of CSU patients associated with AITD showed that female patients had a significantly higher risk of CSU compared to male ones (HR, 1.34; P=0.001) and that those with allergic rhinitis (HR, 1.51; P<0.001), atopic dermatitis (HR, 2.44; P<0.001), and asthma (HR, 1.50; P<0.001) had a significantly higher risk of CSU compared to patients without respective diseases. Our results demonstrated that AITD could be significantly associated with an increased risk of CSU.

The Clinical Profile of Patients with Psoriasis in Korea: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study (EPI-PSODE).

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, chronic inflammatory disease affecting multiple aspects of patients' lives. Its epidemiology varies regionally; however, nationwide epidemiologic data on psoriasis depicting profile of Korean patients has not been available to date. OBJECTIVE: To understand nationwide epidemiologic characteristics and clinical features of adult patients with psoriasis visited university hospitals in Korea. METHODS: This multicenter, non-interventional, cross-sectional study recruited 1,278 adult patients with psoriasis across 25 centers in Korea in 2013. Various clinical data including PASI, BSA, DLQI, SF-36 and PASE were collected. RESULTS: A total of 1,260 patients completed the study (male:female=1.47:1). The mean age was 47.0 years with a distribution mostly in the 50s (24.9%). Early onset (<40 years) of psoriasis accounted for 53.9% of patients. The mean disease duration was 109.2 months; mean body mass index was 23.9 kg/m2; and 12.7% of patients had a family history of psoriasis. Plaque and guttate types of psoriasis accounted for 85.8% and 8.4%, respectively. Patients with PASI ≥10 accounted for 24.9%; patients with body surface area ≥10 were 45.9%. Patients with DLQI ≥6 accounted for 78.8%. Between PASI <10 and PASI ≥10 groups, significant difference was noted in age at diagnosis, disease duration, blood pressure, waist circumference of female, and treatment experiences with phototherapy, systemic agents, and biologics. CONCLUSION: This was the first nationwide epidemiologic study of patients with psoriasis in Korea and provides an overview of the epidemiologic characteristics and clinical profiles of this patient population.

Antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from skin infections and its implications in various clinical conditions in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Periodic investigations into patterns of antimicrobial resistance can help to optimize the efficacy of treatment and limit the development of resistance. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to update information on patterns of antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from skin infections in South Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical information and in vitro antimicrobial resistance data for 965 clinical S. aureus isolates obtained from skin infections during 2010-2013 in a university hospital in South Korea. RESULTS: The rate of resistance to oxacillin (methicillin-resistant S. aureus [MRSA]) was 47.4%. Similar rates of resistance to erythromycin (45.6%), fusidic acid (44.0%), and clindamycin (42.3%) were noted. The rate of resistance to mupirocin was 8.4%. Overall, 4.9% of isolates were resistant to both fusidic acid and mupirocin. None of the isolates showed resistance to habekacin, synercid, teicoplanin, or vancomycin. Generally, antimicrobial resistance rates did not increase from 2010 to 2013 except with reference to a few agents such as mupirocin and rifampin. Isolates from surgical patients, inpatients, non-dermatology outpatients, and adult patients showed relatively high rates of resistance to multiple antimicrobials. Resistance to mupirocin was not only lower than that to fusidic acid but was consistent across clinical contexts. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MRSA in skin infections in South Korea did not increase during 2010-2013. Isolates from dermatology outpatients showed relatively lower rates of resistance to multiple antimicrobials than isolates from non-dermatology outpatients. Among topical antimicrobials, resistance to mupirocin was relatively low regardless of clinical condition.