New-onset cutaneous nodule arising from hypertrichotic brownish patch in a 6-year-old girl.

A 6-year-old girl presented with an enlarging asymptomatic nodule within a hyperpigmented hypertrichotic patch on her left thigh. Histopathological examination revealed tumour cells with round to fusiform nuclei in a fine fibrillary collagenous stroma, along with increased cellularity. Most of the tumour cells were positive for S-100 and negative for HMB-45 and Melan-A.

Elevated neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as an indicator of secondary erythema nodosum, a retrospective observational study

Background/aim: Erythema nodosum (EN) is an inflammatory disorder of subcutaneous tissue. Although etiopathogenesis of the disease is unknown, many predisposing factors such as infections, systemic disease, and drugs have been identified. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been shown to be a novel inflammatory marker in many dermatological diseases. The aim of our study is to investigate NLR in EN patients and evaluate its relation to the underlying cause of the disease. Materials and methods: Between 2014 and 2018, clinical and laboratory data of 395 patients diagnosed with EN and 395 controls were extracted from patient files. EN patients were grouped as idiopathic EN and secondary EN (EN with an identified underlying cause). Clinical and laboratory characteristics of the two groups were compared Results: NLR was elevated in EN patients compared to controls (median of 2.38 vs. 1.55, P < 0.001). Among EN patients, NLR was also elevated in patients with secondary EN. In multivariate logistic regression model NLR (> 2.11), RDW-CV (> 13.65), and CRP (> 5.5) were identified as risk factors for secondary EN (relative risks were 17.16, 2.69, and 2, respectively). Conclusion: Elevated NLR (> 2.11) may be used as a parameter to discriminate secondary EN from idiopathic EN.

Juvenile-Onset Early-Stage Mycosis Fungoides-Associated Follicular Mucinosis: A Case Report.

We report a juvenile case of mycosis fungoides with prominent follicular mucinosis (FM). The patient was a 9-year old boy who presented with a 2-month history of enlarging alopecic patch with fine scales on the scalp. Dermatologic examination revealed orange-tan slightly palpable plaques with follicular prominence on his trunk. The patient and his family were not aware of these asymptomatic truncal plaques. Histopathologic examination of both-scalp and trunk-lesions revealed folliculotropic lymphocytic infiltration with mucin. Immunohistochemical study showed that lymphocytic infiltration was CD4 dominant. Flow cytometry analyses of peripheral blood were normal. Any abnormal populations and Sézary cells were not observed on blood smear. Polymerase chain reaction testing showed monoclonality for the T-cell receptor4-[Latin Small Letter Rams Horn] gene. Our patient had the clinical and histopathological diagnosis of follicular mycosis fungoides-associated follicular mucinosis.

Coexistence of Adult Onset Eruptive Syringoma and Bilateral Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report.

Eruptive syringoma is an unusual variant of syringoma, which usually presents before or during puberty. It typically occurs in large numbers as multiple yellow-brown-colored papules, which may show spontaneous regression. Because some authors have proposed that it could present as a reactive process of eccrine ducts to an inflammatory reaction caused by an unknown trigger, the exact pathomechanism is still unclear. There are also reports in the literature on the association of eruptive syringoma in Down syndrome, diabetes, milium, sarcoidosis, and psychiatric disorders. Some reports in the literature highlighted the association of eruptive syringomas and neoplasms. We describe here a case of adult-onset eruptive syringoma in a 53-year-old man and discuss the possibility of its association with renal cell carcinoma as a paraneoplastic phenomenon.

A rare case of trigeminal trophic syndrome with an extensive scalp, forehead, and upper eyelid ulceration in a patient with undiagnosed Alzheimer disease.

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal Trophic Syndrome (TTS) is a rare presentation of facial ulceration, which is characterized by the triad of anesthesia, paraesthesia, and damage of trigeminal sensory branches. MAIN OBSERVATIONS: We report a unique case of TTS as an extensive forehead and scalp ulceration in a patient with undiagnosed Alzheimer disease. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment options for trigeminal trophic syndrome are limited and disappointing especially in older patients with dementia. Family education and behavioral modification therapies may be well tolerated option in this population.

Factors affecting adherence and patient satisfaction with treatment: a cross-sectional study of 500 patients with acne vulgaris.

Background: Acne Vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease that requires long-term treatment. Adherence to treatment is a problem in chronic diseases and may affect treatment outcomes.Objective: We aim to investigate treatment adherence and satisfaction of patients with acne and identify independent factors that affect them.Methods: Five hundred patients with acne were included in this cross-sectional study. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. Severity of acne was assessed using the Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) scale, and a five-point Likert scale was used to assess patients' satisfaction and adherence.Results: Adherence to treatment was poor in 64.4% of the patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that using oral isotretinoin (OR: 4.1, 95% CI 2.44-6.92, p < .001) and satisfaction with treatment (OR: 2.1, 95% CI 1.31-3.43, p = .002) were independent factors that affect adherence in patients. 51.8% of the patients were satisfied with their treatments and treatment satisfaction was higher in females (OR: 2.2, 95% CI 1.3-3.8, p = .004) and patients using oral isotretinoin (OR: 14.8, 95% CI 9.4-23.2, p < .001).Conclusions: Treatment adherence is poor among patients with acne. Identifying the factor that affects adherence may help the dermatologist recognize non-adherent patients and develop strategies to improve adherence.

Serum amyloid A and C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate are important indicators in hidradenitis suppurativa.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic disabling inflammatory disease of the follicular unit especially affecting apocrine gland-bearing skin areas. Little is known about systemic inflammatory complications of the disease. This study aimed to evaluate systemic inflammation in patients with HS by assessing serum amyloid A protein (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and to identify potential risk factors for HS. Forty-four patients (M/F: 28/16) and 44 age- and sex-matched controls (M/F: 28/16) were enrolled. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic data, including smoking status, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), serum fasting lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, SAA, and CRP levels, and ESR were assessed. Associations were investigated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Patients with HS showed significantly higher levels of pack-years of cigarette smoking, weight, BMI, and WC (P = 0.01, P < 0.001, P = 0.001) and elevated SAA and CRP levels and ESR (P = 0.008, P = 0.01 and P < 0.001). SAA and CRP levels and ESR were significantly associated with Hurley staging in patients with HS (P = 0.03, P = 0.003, P = 0.02). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that each unit increase in the ESR increased the HS risk by 1.08-fold (95% CI 1.02-1.13). HS is significantly associated with SAA, CRP, and ESR. Among these inflammatory parameters, ESR was an independent risk factor for HS. We recommend assessment of SAA, CRP, and ESR as biomarkers that reflect the disease severity in HS patients likely to develop complications.

Educational level and job status are the most important factors affecting compliance with oral antihistamine therapy for patients with chronic urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Management of chronic urticaria (CU) is often difficult with oral antihistamines (OAs) despite long-term use. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the extent of medication compliance (MC) and to assess the factors affecting the MC of patients with CU toward OA therapy. METHODS: A 43-item questionnaire was administered to 201 adult patients. A compliance score (CS) of 6 points was chosen as a cutoff point. A CS of 0-6 corresponds to poor compliance and score of 6-9, to good compliance. Subsequently, associations with compliant and poorly compliant groups were made by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The median age and disease duration of all patients were 47 years (range: 18-88) and 15 months (range: 1.5-480), respectively. Overall, the rate of compliant and poorly compliant patients was 53.2% and 46.8%, respectively. Educational level and job status were significantly associated with MC. To have graduated from university and high school increased MC by 9.1-fold (p = .002, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.26-36.37) and 3.6-fold (p = .019, 95% CI: 1.26-13.47), respectively, compared with illiterates. Patients who had worked previously and were currently looking for work were 4.8-fold (p = .032, 95% CI: 1.14-19.97) more compliant than patients who had never worked. CONCLUSION: Most patients with CU had good compliance with OAs. Educational level and job status were significant predictors of MC to OAs in CU. The impact and long-term effects of education and job status should be evaluated in different patient groups.

Assessment of Metabolic Profile and Ischemia-modified Albumin Level in Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune-mediated hair follicle disorder. In the literature, there is no study evaluating metabolic syndrome and levels of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) which is proposed as an oxidative stress biomarker in patients with AA. AIMS: The aim was to investigate the presence of metabolic syndrome and the levels of IMA, small dense low-density lipoprotein (sd-LDL), and visfatin levels in AA patients. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was undertaken among AA patients and controls. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients with AA and 35 sex-, age-, and body mass index-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Clinical and laboratory parameters of metabolic syndrome were examined in all participants. Furthermore, IMA, sd-LDL, and visfatin levels were assessed and analyzed with regard to disease pattern, severity and extent, severity of alopecia tool score, duration, and recurrence. RESULTS: The median IMA and adjusted IMA levels were significantly increased compared with controls (P<0.05 and P=0.002, respectively). Patients with pull test positivity displayed higher levels of adjusted IMA levels (P<0.05). In AA group, there was a positive correlation between adjusted IMA and waist circumference (r=0.443, P=0.008), adjusted IMA and triglyceride levels (r=0.535, P=0.001), and adjusted IMA and sd-LDL levels (r=0.46, P<0.05). We observed no statistically significant difference in fasting blood glucose and lipid profile, sd-LDL, and visfatin levels of the patients and healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: AA patients and controls have similar metabolic profile. Raised levels of adjusted IMA levels may be associated with antioxidant/oxidant imbalance and with risk of cardiovascular disease.

Rosacea associated with increased risk of generalized anxiety disorder: a case-control study of prevalence and risk of anxiety in patients with rosacea.

BACKGROUND: Rosacea may result in emotional distress and anxiety. However, data on the presence of generalized anxiety disorder in rosacea patients are scarce. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to detect the frequency and level of anxiety and depression in patients with rosacea. METHODS: A total of 194 consecutive rosacea patients and 194 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Severity of rosacea was assessed in patients according to the criteria of the National Rosacea Society Ethics Committee. Both patients and controls were evaluated by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale, and severity was measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-Adult. RESULTS: Individuals who were diagnosed with an anxiety and/or depressive disorder were more common in patient group (24.7% vs. 7.2%, p<0,01). Female patients were particularly at risk for having generalized anxiety disorder (OR=2.8; 95% CI 1.15-7.37; p=0.02). STUDY LIMITATIONS: Single center study and limited sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Rosacea patients show greater risk of having anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder. Female patients, those with lower educational levels, those with phymatous subtype, untreated patients, and patients with prior psychiatric morbidity may be at particular risk for anxiety. It is essential to consider the psychological characteristics of patients to improve their well-being.

Mycosis Fungoides and Vitamin D Status: Analyses of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Vitamin D Receptor Gene.

Various types of cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, are associated with vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms. However, few studies have addressed VDR polymorphisms in patients with mycosis fungoides (MF), and previous studies have reported conflicting results. Aim of this case-control study was to assess the correlation between VDR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) Cdx2, Fok1, Apa1, Bsm1, and Taq1 and MF. Venous blood samples were collected from 41 patients with MF and 59 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. VDR genotypes of both groups were analyzed. Serum vitamin D levels of patients with MF were also analysed among varying stages and VDR genotypes. Vitamin D levels were significantly low (<30 ng/mL) in 87.9% of the patients (P<0.001). No associations were found between Apa1, Cdx2, Fok1, and Bsm1 SNPs and MF. However, Taq1 polymorphisms were higher in the healthy control group (P<0.001). Our study supports the claim that vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with MF. On the other hand, our findings suggest that Taq1 polymorphisms may be associated with decreased susceptibility to MF. Therefore, VDRs may have complex and heterogeneous effects on the pathogenesis of MF.

Psoriasis management in actual clinical practice: a 6-year retrospective study of 845 patients.

BACKGROUND: Over the past years, with the availability of relatively well tolerated, very effective but expensive drugs, biologics, treatment of psoriasis has dramatically shifted from inpatient modalities to outpatient ones. Relatively little is known about true life practices regarding psoriasis treatment in our country. AIMS: To assess the impact of introduction of conventional drugs and biological drugs on medical resource use of psoriasis patients. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review was performed. METHODS: Patients with the diagnosis of psoriasis who were seen in the period between 2010 and 2015 were included in the study. Data including hospital resource use (inpatient, outpatient, day ward) and treatment modalities were collected. RESULTS: The study population comprised 845 patients with 1053 different treatment modalities. There was not any significant difference between number of in-hospital days and frequency of hospitalization between biological drugs and cyclosporine. There was significant (p < .05) decline in the length of hospitalization after the year 2012 in biological treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of MSP with classical drugs requires fairly similar medical resource expenditures as biologics.

Rosacea associated with increased risk of generalized anxiety disorder: a case-control study of prevalence and risk of anxiety in patients with rosacea

Abstract Background: Rosacea may result in emotional distress and anxiety. However, data on the presence of generalized anxiety disorder in rosacea patients are scarce. Objective: The aim of the study was to detect the frequency and level of anxiety and depression in patients with rosacea. Methods: A total of 194 consecutive rosacea patients and 194 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Severity of rosacea was assessed in patients according to the criteria of the National Rosacea Society Ethics Committee. Both patients and controls were evaluated by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale, and severity was measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-Adult. Results: Individuals who were diagnosed with an anxiety and/or depressive disorder were more common in patient group (24.7% vs. 7.2%, p < 0,01). Female patients were particularly at risk for having generalized anxiety disorder (OR = 2.8; 95% CI 1.15-7.37; p = 0.02). Study limitations: Single center study and limited sample size. Conclusions: Rosacea patients show greater risk of having anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder. Female patients, those with lower educational levels, those with phymatous subtype, untreated patients, and patients with prior psychiatric morbidity may be at particular risk for anxiety. It is essential to consider the psychological characteristics of patients to improve their well-being.