[Translated article] Cross-Cultural Validation of the RosaQoL Scale in Spanish Language.

INTRODUCTION: Rosacea is a chronic disease negatively impacting the patients' quality of life and mental health. The Rosacea Quality of Life (RosaQoL) scale could be a useful tool to monitor patients while on therapy vs rosacea, as it measures the impact on quality of life and helps individualize treatment to meet the patients' needs. RosaQoL is a validated scale that can be completed within a few minutes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The original scale was translated and back translated by 2 native translators, with input from an expert committee when necessary. This version was tested on 21 patients to ensure proper understanding. Psychometric characteristics and validity were determined using various measures (sensitivity and specificity via ROC curve and internal consistency via Cronbach's alpha). The correlation between RosaQoL and SF-12 scales was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: A total of 531 participants responded to the scale (481 with rosacea and 50 controls). The scale demonstrated excellent sensitivity and specificity (ROC curve, 0.96; 95%CI, 0.92-0.99) and high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha, 0.96). RosaQoL correlated with SF-12. A higher score on the RosaQoL scale was associated with worse quality of life in all dimensions of the SF-12 scale. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the RosaQoL scale exhibits psychometric characteristics, which are similar to the original scale. Also, the RosaQoL scale is useful to assess the quality of life of patients with rosacea.

Cross-Cultural Validation of the RosaQoL Scale in Spanish Language. / Validación transcultural al idioma español de la escala RosaQoL.

INTRODUCTION: Rosacea is a chronic disease negatively impacting the patients' quality of life and mental health. The Rosacea Quality of Life (RosaQoL) scale could be a useful tool to monitor patients while on therapy vs rosacea, as it measures the impact on quality of life and helps individualize treatment to meet the patients' needs. RosaQoL is a validated scale that can be completed within a few minutes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The original scale was translated and back translated by 2 native translators, with input from an expert committee when necessary. This version was tested on 21 patients to ensure proper understanding. Psychometric characteristics and validity were determined using various measures (sensitivity and specificity via ROC curve and internal consistency via Cronbach's alpha). The correlation between RosaQoL and SF-12 scales was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: A total of 531 participants responded to the scale (481 with rosacea and 50 controls). The scale demonstrated excellent sensitivity and specificity (ROC curve, 0.96; 95%CI, 0.92-0.99) and high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha, 0.96). RosaQoL correlated with SF-12. A higher score on the RosaQoL scale was associated with worse quality of life in all dimensions of the SF-12 scale. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the RosaQoL scale exhibits psychometric characteristics, which are similar to the original scale. Also, the RosaQoL scale is useful to assess the quality of life of patients with rosacea.

Effectiveness and safety of brodalumab in the treatment of plaque, scalp and palmoplantar psoriasis: A multicentre retrospective study in a Spanish population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The data in clinical practice regarding the effectiveness and safety of brodalumab in psoriasis are scarce, especially at scalp and palmoplantar locations. The main objective was the percentage of patients achieving absolute PASI ≤3/ ≤1/ =0 for plaque psoriasis and the percentage of patients achieving an IGA 0-1/IGA 0 for the special locations at Week 52 of treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational retrospective multicentre study in 28 Spanish Hospitals that included adult patients with plaque psoriasis treated with brodalumab, from September 2018 until March 2021. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients were included. The mean baseline PASI was 10.97 (±6.28) with a mean basal scalp (n = 58) and palmoplantar (n = 40) IGA of 2.10 (±0.97) and 2.15 (±1.26), respectively. At Week 52, 93.98%/75.90%/68.67% of patients reached an absolute PASI ≤3/ ≤1/ =0 in plaque psoriasis (n = 83), with a percentage of patients achieving scalp (n = 27) and palmoplantar (n = 19) IGA 0-1/IGA 0 of 96.3%/88.9% and 100%/88.9%, respectively. Fifteen per cent of patients reported any adverse events with candidiasis being the most reported (6%), but only 6% of the adverse events required the withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Brodalumab demonstrated high PASI and IGA responses and was well tolerated in clinical practice in plaque, scalp and palmoplantar psoriasis.

Evidence-based guidelines of the spanish psoriasis group on the use of biologic therapy in patients with psoriasis in difficult-to-treat sites (nails, scalp, palms, and soles).

Psoriatic lesions affecting the scalp, nails, palms, and the soles of the feet are described as difficult-to-treat psoriasis and require specific management. Involvement of these sites often has a significant physical and emotional impact on the patient and the lesions are difficult to control with topical treatments owing to inadequate penetration of active ingredients and the poor cosmetic characteristics of the vehicles used. Consequently, when difficult-to-treat sites are involved, psoriasis can be considered severe even though the lesions are not extensive. Scant information is available about the use of biologic therapy in this setting, and published data generally comes from clinical trials of patients who also had moderate to severe extensive lesions or from small case series and isolated case reports. In this article we review the quality of the scientific evidence for the 4 biologic agents currently available in Spain (infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, and ustekinumab) and report level i evidence for the use of biologics to treat nail psoriasis (level of recommendation A) and a somewhat lower level of evidence in the case of scalp involvement and palmoplantar psoriasis.

Strategic Plan for the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venerology (AEDV): FuturAEDV 2013-2017.

BACKGROUND: The Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV) has decided that a Strategic Plan is needed to help the association adapt to new circumstances and anticipate future developments. OBJECTIVES: 1) To position the AEDV as a medical association that can exert an influence in everything related to dermatology. 2) To contribute to the development of the specialty, strengthening the prestige and reputation of dermatology and dermatologists. 3) To establish a model for operating and strategic thinking that can be handed on to successive Boards of Directors and will enable the Academy to identify future challenges. METHODS: The approach used to develop the Strategic Plan was as follows: analysis of trends in the health care system; assessment of the current situation of AEDV and of dermatology in general through an internal analysis based on surveys and interviews with academics; analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats; preparation of a mission statement; and identification, development, and implementation of a strategy map prioritizing strategic lines of action. RESULTS: The strategy map set out 16 general goals grouped into 4 main topics (achieving the vision, internal and external customers, internal processes, and innovation) and detailed in an action plan with 19 initiatives, each with specific actions. The plan will be monitored by the Strategic Plan Monitoring Committee, which is made up of the members of the Standing Committee and the chairs of the 9 Technical Committees responsible for implementing the initiatives. COMMENT: The Functional Plan should guide the management of AEDV until 2017, and its implementation will enable the association to contribute to the development and prestige of the specialty and position itself as a reference in terms of its functional model.

[Cholesterol embolism disease: study of 16 cases]. / Enfermedad por émbolos de colesterol: estudio de 16 casos.

BACKGROUND: The cholesterol embolism syndrome is a multisystemic disease resulting from cholesterol crystal embolization to many organs including skin, kidney and CNS. Vascular procedures and anticoagulation have been identified as triggering factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients were prospectively reviewed diagnosed of cholesterol embolism syndrome from 1991 to 1998. RESULTS: The mean age was 68 years and all had at least two risk factors for atherosclerosis (hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia) as well as pre-existing symptomatic atherosclerotic disease. At least one precipitating factor was identified in 14 patients (heparin in 7, coumarins in 4 and vascular procedure in 7). In six patients two or more triggering factors coexisted. Clinically, 12 patients had livedo reticularis, 10 purpuric lesions, 12 purple toes and 4 painful ulcerations. As a result of progressive gangrene 4 patients required amputation of a portion of the lower extremity. The skin biopsy was diagnostic of cholesterol embolism syndrome in 10 cases and was highly suggestive in the remaining cases. Eleven patients developed renal failure but only five required subsequent dialysis. A cerebrovascular accident was reported in two patients and gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in another three patients. Four patients died but only two as a direct result of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of cholesterol embolisms should be considered among elderly patients, with underlying atherosclerotic disease, who develop typical cutaneous manifestations, hypertension, and renal failure in association with precipitating factors. Given the serious implications of this syndrome, a heightened awareness and preventive measures in the population at risk are essential.

[Classical Kaposi sarcoma of aggressive course]. / Sarcoma de Kaposi clásico de comportamiento agresivo.

The aggressive variant of the classical Kaposi sarcoma (KS), though uncommon, has an utmost relevance because its evolutive characteristics entail a great morbidity and mortality. Three classical KS cases are reported which manifested an unusually aggressive course, with extensive cutaneous and visceral involvement. One of the patients was diagnosed of a non-Hodgkin lymphoma 12 months later. None of the three patients responded to the different therapeutic regimens used: polychemotherapy, monochemotherapy and interferon-alfa, respectively. The three patients died within two years after diagnosis. In KS patients with pulmonary involvement, working in coal mines was recorded as occupational antecedent. These three cases illustrate the different clinical and therapeutic characteristics of an uncommon subtype in the KS spectrum in general and of its classical variant in particular. Likewise, the possible role of occupational exposure in the etiopathogenesis of KS is discussed.