Oral Minoxidil vs Topical Minoxidil for Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: There has been increased interest in low-dose oral minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) treatment. However, the efficacy of oral minoxidil for male AGA is yet to be evaluated in comparative therapeutic trials. Objective: To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of daily oral minoxidil, 5 mg, vs twice-daily topical minoxidil, 5%, for 24 weeks in the treatment of male AGA. Design, Setting, and Participants: This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial was conducted at a single specialized clinic in Brazil. Eligible men with AGA aged 18 to 55 years classified using the Norwood-Hamilton scale as 3V, 4V, or 5V were included and randomized. Data were collected from January to December 2021, and data were analyzed from September 2022 to February 2023. Interventions: Participants were randomized 1:1 into 2 groups: oral minoxidil, 5 mg, daily and topical placebo solution; or 1 mL of topical minoxidil, 5%, twice daily and oral placebo for 24 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was change in terminal hair density on the frontal and vertex regions of the scalp. The secondary outcomes were change in total hair density and photographic evaluation. Results: Among 90 enrolled participants, 68 completed the study; of these, the mean (SD) age was 36.6 (7.8) years. A total of 33 participants were enrolled in the oral minoxidil group and 35 in the topical treatment group. Both groups were homogenous in terms of demographic data and AGA severity. For the frontal area, the mean change from baseline to week 24 between groups was 3.1 hairs per cm2 (95% CI, -18.2 to 21.5; P = .27) for terminal hair density and 2.6 hairs per cm2 (95% CI, -10.3 to 15.8; P = .32) for total hair density. For the vertex area, the mean change from baseline to week 24 was 23.4 hairs per cm2 (95% CI, -0.3 to 43.0; P = .09) for terminal density and 5.5 hairs per cm2 (95% CI, -12.5 to 23.5; P = .32) for total hair density. According to the photographic analysis, oral minoxidil was superior to topical minoxidil on the vertex (24%; 95% CI, 0 to 48; P = .04) but not on the frontal scalp (12%; 95% CI, -12 to 36; P = .24). The most common adverse effects in the oral minoxidil group were hypertrichosis (22 of 45 [49%]) and headache (6 of 45 [14%]). Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, oral minoxidil, 5 mg, once per day for 24 weeks did not demonstrate superiority over topical minoxidil, 5%, twice per day in men with AGA. Trial Registration: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials Identifier: RBR-252w9r.

Development and Validation of a Dermoscopic Severity Score for Female Pattern Hair Loss.

Introduction: Despite the high prevalence and impact on quality of life, there are no objective methods to estimate the severity of female pattern hair loss (FPHL). Here, we aimed to develop a dermoscopic severity score for FPHL. Methods: Cross-sectional study involving 76 women with FPHL and 12 controls. Standardized dermoscopic photos of the scalp were taken to evaluate the main findings of FPHL. The variable selection and their scores in the final model were defined by multivariate methods. Twenty participants were retested to assess the reliability, and 10 participants were tested before and after treatment for estimating its sensibility to change after 6 months. Results: Eight patients (11%) presented the Sinclair clinical scale grade I, 40 (53%) presented at grade II, 19 (25%) presented at grade III, and 9 (12%) presented at grades IV and V. In the multivariate exploration, the following variables were considered significant: total terminal hairs, total miniaturized hairs, brown peripilar sign, scalp honeycomb pigmentation, white peripilar sign, and yellow dots. The final model resulted in a high correlation (rho = 0.89) with the ranked clinical assessment. Conclusion: An objective and reliable severity score of FPHL was developed and validated, allowing its use as an additional outcome in therapeutic trials.

Suppression of wheal and flare in histamine test by the main H1 antihistamines commercialized in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Several dermatoses are mediated by histamine, such as urticaria, angioedema, and papular urticaria. There are no Brazilian studies comparing the potency of antihistamines. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of the main commercial brand and generic H1 antihistamines, regarding the suppression of the wheal and flare to the histamine test. METHODS: A quasi-experimental, open study with 10 healthy adults submitted to the histamine test on the ventral aspect of the forearms. After 20 minutes, wheal and flares were measured. The tests were performed after two hours of intake of dexchlorpheniramine, hydroxyzine, levocetirizine, fexofenadine, cetirizine, loratadine, ebastine, desloratadine, epinastine and rupatadine, as well as generics of loratadine, cetirizine and fexofenadine. RESULTS: All antihistamines presented a reduction in the wheal compared to the control (p <0.02), as well as in the flare, except for rupatadine (p = 0.70). In the internal comparison, cetirizine, fexofenadine, epinastine, levocetirizine, dexchlorpheniramine and hydroxyzine were the most potent, with no difference between them (p > 0.1). As for halo, cetirizine, epinastine, hydroxyzine and fexofenadine were the most potent, with no difference between them (p > 0.1). The most common adverse effect was drowsiness, which was more prevalent among first-generation drugs (p < 0.01). Generic loratadine, fexofenadine and cetirizine halos were higher than their controls (p <0.03).. STUDY LIMITATIONS: A single-center study evaluating only aspects related to histamine. CONCLUSIONS: Brazilian commercial antihistamines presented different profiles of inhibition of wheal and flares in the histamine test, as well as adverse effects. Generic loratadine, fexofenadine and cetirizine presented larger flares than brand drugs.

Suppression of wheal and flare in histamine test by the main H1 antihistamines commercialized in Brazil

Abstract: Background: Several dermatoses are mediated by histamine, such as urticaria, angioedema, and papular urticaria. There are no Brazilian studies comparing the potency of antihistamines. Objectives: To evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of the main commercial brand and generic H1 antihistamines, regarding the suppression of the wheal and flare to the histamine test. Methods: A quasi-experimental, open study with 10 healthy adults submitted to the histamine test on the ventral aspect of the forearms. After 20 minutes, wheal and flares were measured. The tests were performed after two hours of intake of dexchlorpheniramine, hydroxyzine, levocetirizine, fexofenadine, cetirizine, loratadine, ebastine, desloratadine, epinastine and rupatadine, as well as generics of loratadine, cetirizine and fexofenadine. Results: All antihistamines presented a reduction in the wheal compared to the control (p <0.02), as well as in the flare, except for rupatadine (p = 0.70). In the internal comparison, cetirizine, fexofenadine, epinastine, levocetirizine, dexchlorpheniramine and hydroxyzine were the most potent, with no difference between them (p > 0.1). As for halo, cetirizine, epinastine, hydroxyzine and fexofenadine were the most potent, with no difference between them (p > 0.1). The most common adverse effect was drowsiness, which was more prevalent among first-generation drugs (p < 0.01). Generic loratadine, fexofenadine and cetirizine halos were higher than their controls (p <0.03).. Study limitations: A single-center study evaluating only aspects related to histamine. Conclusions: Brazilian commercial antihistamines presented different profiles of inhibition of wheal and flares in the histamine test, as well as adverse effects. Generic loratadine, fexofenadine and cetirizine presented larger flares than brand drugs.

Melanoma primário múltiplo sincrônico em mulher jovem: relato de caso e revisão da literatura / Multiple synchronous primary melanoma in young women: case report and literature review

Contexto: Melanoma corresponde a apenas 3% dos cânceres da pele, porém, tem alta letalidade. Pacientes diagnosticados com melanoma têm risco de 1% a 8% de desenvolver um segundo melanoma, o que se denomina de melanoma primário múltiplo (MPM). Até 30% dos casos de MPM são sincrônicos. Descrição do caso: Mulher, de 39 anos, com duas lesões melanocíticas no membro inferior. Exame histopatológico evidenciou serem ambos melanomas primários, sendo, portanto, diagnosticados como MPM sincrônicos. Discussão: MPM sincrônico é raro e há poucos relatos na literatura, sendo as características da doença pouco conhecidas pelos dermatologistas. Principais fatores de risco para desenvolvimento de MPM são história pessoal de nevo displásico e antecedente familiar de melanoma. Conclusões: Pacientes com MPM devem ter seguimento clínico regular minucioso, por apresentarem maior risco que a população geral de desenvolver outros melanomas. Com o aumento da incidência do melanoma, casos de MPM devem tornar-se mais frequentes na prática clínica.

Quality of life index in autoimmune bullous dermatosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune bullous dermatoses are complex diseases triggered by autoantibodies action against epidermal antigens or the dermoepidermal junction. Blisters and vesicles that evolve with erosion areas characterize them. Although rare, they present high morbidity, affecting the quality of life of patients. OBJECTIVES: To assess the magnitude of autoimmune bullous dermatoses on life quality of patients treated in a public university service in countryside of Brazil. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on an inquiry with autoimmune bullous dermatoses patients assisted at outpatient university referral service. Elements related to quality of life were evaluated by the Dermatology Life Quality Index, as well as clinical and demographic data. RESULTS: The study evaluated 43 patients with pemphigus foliaceus, 32 with pemphigus vulgaris, 6 with bullous pemphigoid and 3 with dermatitis herpetiformis. The average age was 48 ± 16 years and 34 (40%) were female. The median score (p25-p75) of the Dermatology Life Quality Index was 16 (9-19), classified as "severe impairment" of life quality, in which the greater impact was related to symptoms and feelings, daily and leisure activities. CONCLUSIONS: Autoimmune bullous dermatoses inflict severe impairment of quality of life for patients followed by a public outpatient clinic in the countryside of Brazil.

Quality of life index in autoimmune bullous dermatosis patients

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune bullous dermatoses are complex diseases triggered by autoantibodies action against epidermal antigens or the dermoepidermal junction. Blisters and vesicles that evolve with erosion areas characterize them. Although rare, they present high morbidity, affecting the quality of life of patients. OBJECTIVES: To assess the magnitude of autoimmune bullous dermatoses on life quality of patients treated in a public university service in countryside of Brazil. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on an inquiry with autoimmune bullous dermatoses patients assisted at outpatient university referral service. Elements related to quality of life were evaluated by the Dermatology Life Quality Index, as well as clinical and demographic data. RESULTS: The study evaluated 43 patients with pemphigus foliaceus, 32 with pemphigus vulgaris, 6 with bullous pemphigoid and 3 with dermatitis herpetiformis. The average age was 48 ± 16 years and 34 (40%) were female. The median score (p25-p75) of the Dermatology Life Quality Index was 16 (9-19), classified as "severe impairment" of life quality, in which the greater impact was related to symptoms and feelings, daily and leisure activities. CONCLUSIONS: Autoimmune bullous dermatoses inflict severe impairment of quality of life for patients followed by a public outpatient clinic in the countryside of Brazil. .

Skin diseases reported by workers from UNESP campus at Rubião Jr, Botucatu-SP (Brazil).

There are few populational studies to estimate the dimension of dermatological diseases. We performed a survey with 515 employees from UNESP campus, Botucatu (SP), exploring demographic data, medical appointments and dermatological diagnoses. Additionally, we induced questions about prevalent diseases. Appointments to the dermatologist were reported by 77% of subjects. The main dermatoses spontaneously reported were mycoses, allergies, nevi and viral warts. There were association of juvenile acne and males (OR=2.3), melasma and females (OR=8.0), and onychomycosis with older age (OR=1.05). Surveys are important to know the demand for dermatology care, besides directing formulation of public health policy and medical education.

Dimensioning the fear of dermatologic diseases.

The symbolic representation of a disease is related to personal perceptions and cultural background. In the present study, the authors evaluate the population knowledge and fears related to skin and other prevalent or severe diseases. This survey was based on a semi-structured form to investigate demographic aspects, dermatologic consultations, fears and knowledge of 19 dermatoses and 11 prevalent or severe diseases. We interviewed 302 people, of which 54% were women and the mean age was 39 years. Some fears of dermatoses surpass those of severe diseases. Skin cancer and total alopecia disclosed fears similar to that of myocardial infarction.

Dimensioning the fear of dermatologic diseases / Dimensionando o medo de doenças dermatológicas

The symbolic representation of a disease is related to personal perceptions and cultural background. In the present study, the authors evaluate the population knowledge and fears related to skin and other prevalent or severe diseases. This survey was based on a semi-structured form to investigate demographic aspects, dermatologic consultations, fears and knowledge of 19 dermatoses and 11 prevalent or severe diseases. We interviewed 302 people, of which 54% were women and the mean age was 39 years. Some fears of dermatoses surpass those of severe diseases. Skin cancer and total alopecia disclosed fears similar to that of myocardial infarction. - fundament, fundamentals - objective, objectives - method, methods - result, results - conclusion, conclusions.

A representação simbólica de doenças é ligada a percepções pessoais e raízes culturais. Neste estudo os autores avaliam o conhecimento e temores relacionados a dermatoses e outras doenças prevalentes ou graves na população. Este inquérito foi baseado em formulário semiestruturado para avaliar aspectos demográficos, consulta a dermatologistas, temores e conhecimento sobre 19 dermatoses e 11 doenças prevalentes ou graves. Foram entrevistadas 302 pessoas, sendo 54% do sexo feminino e a idade média, 39 anos. Certos temores de dermatoses superaram os de doenças graves, além disso, câncer de pele e alopecia total representaram temores semelhantes ao infarto do miocárdio. Fundamentos Objetivos Métodos Resultados Conclusões.