The Psychological Benefits of Cosmetic Surgery.

ABSTRACT: The objective of this review is to shed light on the literature regarding the psychological impact of invasive cosmetic surgery and to discuss future implications for research and clinical practice. Articles published through October 2021 were reviewed to answer the question, "Does cosmetic surgery improve a patient's overall psychological health?" Psychological well-being was examined through the lens of body image, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression scores. The studies revealed that although cosmetic surgery seems to boost patients' body image, other crucial aspects of psychological well-being may or may not similarly benefit. Notably, factors such as a patient's preoperative mental status, level of education, type of cosmetic procedure, postoperative healing time, sex, and age play a role in determining the direction and magnitude of psychological change after surgery. Limitations include the lack of diversity in study populations and the potential role of body dysmorphic disorder. Overall, researchers have concluded that cosmetic surgery improves body image but remain in disagreement on its effects on self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.

Intradermal Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum on the Popliteal Fossa: A Rare Dermal Variant in an Atypical Location.

Syringocystadenoma papilliferum (SCAP) is a benign adnexal tumor commonly found on the scalp and face, and often associated with nevus sebaceous, with about half of cases appearing in early childhood. SCAP exhibits cystic invaginations with papillary structures and a double-layered glandular epithelium linked to the epidermal surface and stromal plasma cells. We are reporting a rare instance of intradermal SCAP in a 55-year-old male. He sought evaluation for a long-standing asymptomatic dark-pink papule in his left popliteal fossa, measuring 0.7 x 0.5 x 0.4 cm. A shave biopsy revealed papillary dermal fibrosis, glandular epithelium with apocrine secretion, and papillary projections without an epidermal connection. Infundibulofollicular keratinization was observed, along with stromal plasma cells. The patient chose local excision as the treatment option. This case highlights the rarity of intradermal SCAP, especially in the left popliteal fossa, with only one other reported case in the literature.

Association between Psoriasis and MTHFR polymorphisms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is key to the metabolism of folic acid, with loss of function mutations resulting in elevated homocysteine levels, a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Psoriasis patients may demonstrate hyperhomocysteinemia. To assess for the association between psoriasis and MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms. A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science. Case reports, case-control, cohort, and cross-sectional studies with full-text availability in English were considered. Meta-analysis was conducted with pooled ORs calculated via the random effects model (I2 > 50%). Of 917 records identified, 10 studies were selected for review of 1965 psoriasis patients and 2030 controls. Meta-analysis demonstrated that for MTHFR C677T, there were positive associations between psoriasis and the allele contrast model (C vs T, pooled OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.10-2.59), the additive model (CC vs TT, pooled OR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.06-5.60), the dominant model (CC vs CT + TT, pooled OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.06-2.98), and the recessive model (CC + CT vs TT, pooled OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.05-4.13). For MTHFR A1298C, there were positive associations between psoriasis and the allele contrast model (A vs C, pooled OR = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.19-10.68), the dominant model (AA vs AC + CC, pooled OR = 4.44, 95% CI = 1.12-17.66), and the overdominant model (AC vs AA + CC, pooled OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.07-0.91). There may be a link between the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms with psoriasis diagnosis.

Impact of Aspirin Supplementation for Pre-Eclampsia Prevention on Neonatal Outcomes.

Introduction: Pre-eclampsia negatively affects pregnancy. In 2018, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) updated their low dose aspirin (LDA) supplementation recommendation to include pregnant women at moderate risk for pre-eclampsia. In addition to the potential benefit of LDA supplementation for delaying or preventing pre-eclampsia, LDA supplementation can affect neonatal outcomes. The association of LDA supplementation was studied with six neonatal outcomes in a sample of mostly minority pregnant women from Hispanic and Black race/ethnicities that included those of low, moderate, and high-risk designation for pre-eclampsia. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 634 patients. The main predictor variable was maternal LDA supplementation for six neonatal outcomes: NICU admission, neonatal readmission, one- and five-minute Apgar scores, neonatal birth weight (BW), and hospital length of stay (LOS). Demographics, comorbidities, and maternal high-or moderate-risk designation were adjusted for per ACOG guidelines. Results: High-risk designation was associated with neonatal increased rate of NICU admission (OR: 3.80, 95% CI: 2.02, 7.13, p < 0.001), LOS (B = 0.15, SE = 0.04, p < 0.001), and decreased BW (B = -442.10, SE = 75.07, p < 0.001). No significant associations were found with LDA supplementation or moderate-risk designation for NICU admission, readmission, low one- and five-minute Apgar scores, BW, and LOS. Conclusions: Clinicians recommending maternal LDA supplementation should be aware that LDA supplementation did not appear to provide any benefits for the above neonatal outcomes.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia and personal care product use: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a cicatricial alopecia affecting the frontotemporal hairline. Given that this scarring, immune-mediated follicular destruction most commonly affects postmenopausal Caucasian women, researchers have postulated that there are hormonal and genetic components; however, the etiology of FFA is still unknown. Recently, dermatologists have reported cases of FFA as being potentially caused by cosmetic products, such as sunscreen and shampoo. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis intend to be the first to analyze the relationship between FFA and cosmetic/personal care products and treatments, including sunscreen, moisturizer, foundation, shampoo, conditioner, hair mousse, hair gel, hair dye, hair straightening/rebonding, chemical/laser facial resurfacing, aftershave, and facial cleanser. METHODS: The Cochrane, PubMed, EMBASE, and Medline (Ovid) databases were searched for the relevant studies from the date of inception to August 2022. Case-control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies examining the effects of cosmetic/personal care product use on FFA, available in English full-text, were included. Analyses were performed using Review Manager, version 5.4. Results were reported as an odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI); p values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Nine studies were included in our quantitative analyses, totaling 1,248 FFA patients and 1,459 controls. There were significant positive associations found for FFA and sunscreen (OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.67-5.47; p = 0.0003) and facial moisturizer (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.51-3.20; p < 0.0001) use. Gender sub-analyses demonstrated a positive association for FFA and facial moisturizer in men (OR 5.07, 95% CI 1.40-18.32; p = 0.01), but not in women (OR 1.58, 95% CI 0.83-2.98; p = 0.16). Both gender sub-analyses were significantly positive for the association with facial sunscreen (Male OR 4.61, 95% CI 1.54-13.78, p = 0.006; Female OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.32-5.70, p = 0.007). There was no association found for a facial cleanser (OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.33-1.52; p = 0.51), foundation (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.83-1.55; p = 0.21), shampoo (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.22-1.10; p = 0.08), hair conditioner (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.52-1.26; p = 0.35), hair mousse (OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.75-2.51; p = 0.31), and hair gel (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.48-1.69; p = 0.74), hair dye (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.69-1.64; p = 0.77), hair straightening/rebonding (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.08-9.32; p = 0.92), hair perming (OR 1.41, 95% CI 0.89-2.23; p = 0.14), facial toner (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.12-2.21; p = 0.37), or aftershave (OR 1.64, 95% CI 0.28-9.49; p = 0.58). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis strongly suggests that leave-on facial products, facial sunscreen and moisturizer, are associated with FFA. While the association with facial moisturizer did not persist when stratifying for female populations, gender sub-analyses remained significant for a facial sunscreen. There was no significant relationship found with hair products or treatments. These findings suggest a potential environmental etiology in the development of FFA, particularly UV-protecting chemicals.

The uni-directional association of atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a highly pruritic, inflammatory skin disease with a strong immune component. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that causes synovitis and destruction of small joints. Researchers have attempted to quantify an association between both diseases with mixed conclusions. This systematic review and meta-analysis will study the association between AD and RA. Additionally, we conducted a systematic review between AD and other arthritic conditions including osteoarthritis (OA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases were searched for relevant studies from inception to March 2021. Observational studies examining relationships between AD and arthritic conditions were selected. 2539 studies were screened; nine were found suitable for quantitative analysis, all of which examined AD and RA. All studies had low risk of bias as determined by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Patients with RA did not have significantly increased odds of comorbid AD. These findings were consistent across multiple study designs. However, patients with AD had significantly increased odds of comorbid RA. There were not enough studies identified to perform quantitative analysis between AD and other arthritic conditions. Two studies, one on JIA and one PsA, found no association with AD. Two studies on AD and OA had conflicting results. The present study provides definitive evidence of increased odds of comorbid RA in AD patients. There were no such increased odds of comorbid AD in RA patients. No such association was found between AD and PsA, OA or JIA.