Assessment of Vitamin D Level in Patients with Psoriasis and Its Correlation with Disease Severity: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Chronic plaque psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. Vitamin D has been shown to have effects on keratinocyte differentiation as well as immune regulation in the skin. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the 25hydroxyvitamin D [25 (OH) D] level in patients with psoriasis in comparison with healthy control subjects. Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 180 persons (120 cases and 60 age- and sex-matched control subjects) from outpatient department of BPKIHS, a tertiary care hospital in eastern Nepal. Severity of psoriatic skin lesions was assessed using psoriasis area severity index (PASI) scoring. Serum vitamin D level was assessed by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Results: The mean serum 25(OH) D levels in psoriatic patients and controls were 19.57 ± 6.85 ng/mL and 23.63 ± 6.40 ng/mL, respectively. The difference was statistically significant even after adjusting for confounding factors in a multivariate analysis (aOR 2.929, 95% CI 1.376-6.230). Low serum 25(OH) D levels were negatively associated with the severity of disease (r= -0.628, P= 0.01). Conclusion: Serum 25(OH) D levels are significantly lower in psoriatic patients than in healthy control subjects. Deficiency of serum 25(OH) D was associated with severity of disease with an inverse relationship with PASI score.

Prevalence and risk factors of striae gravidarum in a cohort of multiracial postpartum Nepalese population.

BACKGROUND: Striae gravidarum (SG), popularly called as stretch marks, is a common pregnancy-related asymptomatic skin condition, but is a cosmetic concern for females. A few epidemiological studies have been reported from Asian countries. However, no such study has been done in Nepal. AIMS: This study was aimed to know the prevalence and risk factors associated with SG in a cohort of multi-ethnic postpartum Nepalese women who had delivered after completion of 36 weeks. PATIENTS/METHOD: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 420 postpartum females who had delivered after completion of 36 weeks of gestation. Data were collected in the form of a questionnaire and relevant physical examination was done. The severity of SG was assessed by using Davey's scoring. RESULT: Out of 420 females, 260 (62%) had SG while 160 (38%) did not. According to the results of logistic regression analysis, young age (<25 years), large abdominal circumference (>100 cm), increased weight gain during pregnancy (>15 kg), presence of family history of SG, gestational diabetes mellitus, altered bowel movement, and presence of striae on the breasts, thighs, and buttocks were found to be independent risk factors for SG. CONCLUSIONS: Future expectant mothers must be informed about the risk factors of SG development. They need to be made aware that SG can be prevented by considering the modifiable risk factors, such as excessive weight gain. They should also be informed that SG is permanent and currently there is no definite treatment.

Angioma serpiginosum in zosteriform distribution on abdomen: A rare presentation.

Angioma serpiginosum is a rare benign nevoid disorder affecting the small vessels of the upper dermis. We are presenting a case of this rare disease in an 11-year-old girl who presented with this condition on abdomen in zosteriform pattern which is rare presentation and is the first of its type.