Knowledge, attitudes and practices about sun exposure and photoprotection in outpatients attending dermatology clinics at four hospitals in Lima, Peru.

BACKGROUND: To establish the knowledge, about sun exposure and photoprotection in outpatients treated at the dermatology clinics in four hospitals in Lima, Peru. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving a sample of 364 patients selected using a systematic random sampling process in the four participating hospitals. The selected patients were interviewed to determine their knowledge, behavior and practices in relation to sun exposure and photoprotection. The chi-square test was used to identify any significant differences between knowledge and practices. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients in this sample was 45.1 ± 21.4 years. Of the 364 patients, 55.9% were women and 54.8% had skin phototype IV. The principal risks related to sun exposure were skin cancer (80.5%) and sunburn (77.8%). Knowledge regarding sun protection was more evident in individuals with university/college education (p<0.001). In addition, 78.9% of the individuals reported that they knew about photo-protectors and 52.3% stated that they used them regularly. In general, women were more knowledgeable regarding sun protection (p=0.001). Of the total number of users of photoprotection, 38.4% used these products daily, while 61.6% used them only occasionally. The use of photo-protectors differed significantly in accordance with the individual's education level (p<0.001). In the majority of cases there was a statistically significant difference between knowledge and practice with respect to solar protection. CONCLUSIONS: The level of awareness of the outpatients treated at the dermatology clinics in these four hospitals in Lima, Peru about the risks of sun exposure is acceptable; however, a large proportion fail to incorporate regular solar protection as a practice in their daily life.

Urticaria crónica / Chronic urticaria

La urticaria crónica (VC), es una variante común de la urticaria que se define como un síndrome reactivo de la piel y mucosas caracterizado por la presencia de placas eritematosas, habones o ronchas edematosas y pruriginosas que se prolonga durante más de seis semanas. La etiología de la VC no es muy clara en la mayoría de los casos, multitud de causas se han implicado. La patogenia es compleja. El conocimiento y estudio de cada uno de los factores celulares y solubles, su interacción dinámica, vías efectoras y trama de citoquinas conducirá al logro de una terapéutica efectiva y racional de la urticaria crónica.

Chronic urticaria (VC) is a common variant of urticaria which is defined as a reactive skin and mucous membranes syndrome characterized by the presence of plaques erythematous, wheals, or swollen and itchy hives that lasts more than six weeks. The etiology of the VC is not very clear in the majority of cases, multitude of causes have been implicated. The pathogenesis is complex. Knowledge and study of each cell and soluble factors, their dynamic interaction, effector pathways and cytokines plot will lead to the achievement of an effective and rational therapy of chronic urticaria.

Urticaria aguda / Acute urticaria

La urticaria es una reacción de la piel caracterizada clínicamente por la aparición de elevaciones cutáneas eritematosas o blanquecinas, edematosas, pruriginosas y transitorias, que pueden localizarse en cualquier parte de la superficie cutáneao en las mucosas. Su etiología es variada y sus mecanismos etiopatogénicos también suelen ser múltiples. La lesión típica es el habón o roncha, el cuál cambia de lugar en horas, su forma y tamaño son variables, puede persistir minutos, horas o semanas. La mayoría de las urticarias no presenta sintomatología sistémica. Suele clasificarse regularmente en urticaria aguda, cuando lleva menos de 6 semanas de aparición, y en urticaria crónica, cuando lleva más de 6 semanas. El diagnóstico es fundamentalmente clínico. Es una entidad frecuente que por su gran expresividad motivan constantes y reiteradas consultas a los servicios de urgencia. En este artículo se examinarán los mecanismos que llevan a la urticaria y angioedema, y se revisará la patogénesis, los aspectos clínicos, los estudios de laboratorio necesarios y el tratamiento de la urticaria aguda.

The urticaria is a skin reaction characterized clinically by the on set of erythematous skin elevations or whitish, oedematous,pruritic and transient, you can locate anywhere on the surface of the skin or the mucous membranes. Its etiology is varied and its mechanisms etiopathogenic also tend to be multiple. The typical lesion is the wheal or bump, which changes from place with inhours, its size and shape are variable, may persist for minutes, hours or weeks. The majority of the hives does not pose systemic symptoms. Usually qualify regularly in acute urticaria, when it takes less than 6 weeks of appearance, and chronic urticaria, when it takes over 6 weeks. The diagnosis is primarily clinical. Itis a common entity that by their expressivity motivate constants and repeated consultations to emergency services. This article will xamine the mechanisms that lead to angioedema and urticaria, he pathogenesis, clinical aspects, necessary laboratory studies and eatment.

Conocimientos, actitudes, prácticas de fotoprotección de bañistas que acuden a playas de Lima / Knowledge, attitudes and practices of photo protection of swimmers in three beaches of Lima

Objetivo. Determinar los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas acerca de fotoprotección de bañistas que acuden a playas de Lima y Callao durante enero de 2012.Material y Métodos. Estudio transversal realizado en las playas Agua Dulce (Chorrillos), Playa Sur (San Bartolo) y La Punta (Callao) los días domingos del mes de enero de 2012. Se incluyó en el estudio a bañistas que se encontraban tomando un día de playa entre las 10 a.m. y 12 m., de cualquier sexo y de edad mayor o igual a 10 años. Se realizó una encuesta en la que se abordó aspectos relacionados a conocimientos, actitudes, prácticas de fotoprotección en la práctica diaria y en el día de playa. Los datos obtenidos fueron registrados en un instrumento de recolección de datos. resultados. Participaron del estudio 317 bañistas. Al evaluarse los conocimientos de los bañistas acerca de daños a largo plazo causados por la exposición solar, el cáncer de piel fue el identificado con mayor frecuencia (88,3%); 42,3% tenían una actitud positiva hacia el bronceado. Ante un día cotidiano de sol, la práctica más frecuente era la búsqueda de sombra (85,8%), mientras que el uso de otras medidas es limitado. Se observó un predominio significativo del uso de lentes oscuros en bañistas con instrucción superior (p < 0,001) y del bloqueador solar en mujeres (p = 0,012). En el día de playa, 70,7% de los bañistas había usado bloqueador solar; 58,7%, sombrilla y 57,7% sombrero o gorra. Existió predominio significativo en la aplicación de protector solar (p = 0,009) como en el uso de sombrilla (p = 0,027) en mujeres. Conclusión. A pesar de los conocimientos de los bañistas, un porcentaje importante no aplica las medidas que conoce en la práctica diaria y en el día de playa.

Objective. To determine the knowledge, attitudes and of photo protection of swimmers in beaches of Lima and Callao in January 2012. Material and MethOds. Cross-sectional study realized in three beachs: Agua Dulce (Chorrillos), San Bartolo (Sur) and La Punta (Callao) on Sundays of January 2012. The study enrolled swimmers between 10 am and 12 m, of both genre and with an age equal or greater than 10 years. An interview was realized about knowledge, attitudes, and practices of photo protection diary and at the beach. Data were recorded on a data collection sheet.cOnclusiOn. Despite their knowledge of swimmers, a high percent apply any measures that know in the diary practice and beach day. On average day, the usual measure was the search of shadow (85,5%), the use of others measures were limited. The use of sunglasses by swimmers with high instruction (p < 0,001) and the use of sunscreens by women (p < 012) had significant predominance. In the day at the beach, 70,7% of swimmers had used sunscreens, 58,7% used umbrellas and 57,7% hat or cap. There was a significant predominance in the application of sunscreen (p = 0,009) also for the use of umbrella) p = 0,027%) in women. results. 317 swimmers were and their knowledge about the long term damages caused by exposure to sunlight was evaluated. Skin cancer was identified with the highest frequency (88,3%) and there was a limited knowledge about others damages; 42,3% had a positive attitude towards tan.

Dermatitis gravitacional / Gravitational dermatitis

La dermatitis gravitacional es una dermatosis inflamatoria crónica de la piel, que ocurre en las piernas de personas de edad avanzada, de etiopatogenia compleja y multifactorial, caracterizada clínicamente por placas de aspecto eczematosas, eritematosas, escamosas, fisuradas e hiperpigmentadas, asociada con frecuencia a insuficiencia venosa crónica. En este artículo se discuten la etiopatogenia, factores de riesgo, las manifestaciones clínicas y la conducta terapéutica en la dermatitis gravitacional.

Gravitational dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that occurs in the legs of elderly of complex and multifactorial pathogenesis that is clinically characterized by eczematous, erythematous, scaly, fissured and noninflammatory plates, often associated with chronic venous insufficiency. This article discusses the etiopathogenesis, risk factors, clinical manifestations and therapeutical behavior.

Liquen plano / Lichen planus

El liquen plano (LP) es una dermatosis inflamatoria crónica que afecta a la piel, membranas mucosas, pelo y uñas; de etiología desconocida, en cuya patogenia existe un daño autoinmunitario mediado por linfocitos T frente a los queratinocitos basales que expresan autoantígenos alterados en su superficie. Se presenta con diferentes patrones clínicos, como LP oral, LP anular, LP lineal, LP atrófico, LP hipertrófico, LP ampollar, LP pigmentoso, LP actínico. Su presentación clásica se caracteriza por pápulas poligonales o placas, pruriginosas, de coloración violácea, superficie brillante, surcada por estrias blanquecinas, característicamente distribuidas en forma simétrica sobre todo en las superficies flexoras de la muñeca, tobillos y muslos. Evoluciona por brotes y su curso es autolimitado, se resuelve en un periodo de meses a años, pero puede persistir indefinidamente. Existen múltiples opciones de tratamiento que incluyen corticoides tópicos, intralesionales y sistémicos, retinoides, fototerapia, inmunomoduladores tópicos y en casos graves o resistentes al tratamiento, la ciclosporina, metotrexato y fotoféresis extracorpórea.

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that affectsthe skin, mucous membranes, hair and nails; of unknown aetiology, whose pathogenesis is autoimmune damage mediated by T cells against basal keratinocytes that express autoantigens altered on its surface. It comes with different clinical patterns, such as oralLP, LP annularis, LP linearis, LP, LP verrucosus, bullosa LP, LP pigmentosus, LP actinicus. Classical presentation is characterized bypolygonal papules or plaques, pruritic, violet colour, glossy surface, drained by whitish stretch marks, characteristically distributed in symmetrical form especially in surface flexors of the wrist, ankles and thighs. It evolves by outbreaks and its course is self-limited, resolving in a period of months to years, but may persist indefinitely. There are multiple treatment options including steroids topics, miscellaneous and systemic, retinoids, phototherapy, immunomodulators topical and in cases of severe or resistant to treatment, ciclosporin, methotrexate and photoferesis extracorporea.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices about sun exposure and photoprotection in outpatients attending dermatology clinics at four hospitals in Lima, Peru / Exposição solar e conhecimento, atitudes e práticas de fotoproteção em pacientes de unidades ambulatoriais de dermatologia em quatro hospitais de Lima, Peru

BACKGROUND: To establish the knowledge, about sun exposure and photoprotection in outpatients treated at the dermatology clinics in four hospitals in Lima, Peru. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving a sample of 364 patients selected using a systematic random sampling process in the four participating hospitals. The selected patients were interviewed to determine their knowledge, behavior and practices in relation to sun exposure and photoprotection. The chi-square test was used to identify any significant differences between knowledge and practices. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients in this sample was 45.1 ± 21.4 years. Of the 364 patients, 55.9 percent were women and 54.8 percent had skin phototype IV. The principal risks related to sun exposure were skin cancer (80.5 percent) and sunburn (77.8 percent). Knowledge regarding sun protection was more evident in individuals with university/college education (p<0.001). In addition, 78.9 percent of the individuals reported that they knew about photo-protectors and 52.3 percent stated that they used them regularly. In general, women were more knowledgeable regarding sun protection (p=0.001). Of the total number of users of photoprotection, 38.4 percent used these products daily, while 61.6 percent used them only occasionally. The use of photo-protectors differed significantly in accordance with the individual's education level (p<0.001). In the majority of cases there was a statistically significant difference between knowledge and practice with respect to solar protection. CONCLUSIONS: The level of awareness of the outpatients treated at the dermatology clinics in these four hospitals in Lima, Peru about the risks of sun exposure is acceptable; however, a large proportion fail to incorporate regular solar protection as a practice in their daily life.

FUNDAMENTOS: O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o conhecimento, sobre a exposição solar e fotoproteção em pacientes ambulatoriais tratados nas unidades de dermatologia de quatro hospitais em Lima, Peru. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal. A amostra foi formada por 364 pacientes originários dos quatro hospitais participantes. Os pacientes foram selecionados através de um processo de amostragem aleatória sistemática. Uma vez selecionados, os pacientes foram entrevistados para determinação do conhecimento, atitudes e práticas em relação à exposição ao sol e à fotoproteção. O teste do qui-quadrado foi usado para determinar diferenças significativas entre conhecimento e práticas. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes tinham em média 45,1±21,4 anos de idade, 55,9 por cento eram mulheres e 54,8 por cento tinham pele fototipo IV. Os principais riscos relacionados à exposição solar foram câncer de pele (80,5 por cento) e queimaduras solares (77,8 por cento). Participantes com nível universitário apresentaram maior conhecimento sobre proteção solar (p <0,001). O conhecimento de fotoprotetores foi relatado por 78,9 por cento dos participantes enquanto o uso periódico dos fotoprotetores foi relatado por 52,3 por cento. As mulheres tinham conhecimento amplamente maior sobre proteção solar (p = 0,001). Do total de usuários de fotoprotetores, 38,4 por cento usavam o produto diariamente e 61,6 por cento usavam somente ocasionalmente. O uso de fotoprotetores variou significantemente com o nível de escolaridade (p <0,001). Na maioria dos casos se encontrou diferença estatisticamente significante entre o conhecimento sobre fotoproteção e práticas de fotoproteção. CONCLUSÕES: Os pacientes ambulatoriais tratados nas unidades de dermatologia desses quatro hospitais em Lima têm um nível aceitável de conhecimento mas um grande número deles não haviam incorporado práticas de fotoproteção nas rotinas pessoais.

Infecciones micóticas sistémicas o profundas: paracoccidioidomicosis / Sistemic or Deeph fungal infections: paracoccidioidomycoses

La enfermedad de Bowen es una forma de carcinoma escamocelular de la piel y de la mucosa que afecta a pacientes adultos mayores de 60 años siendo raro los casos reportados antes de los 30 años. Se caracteriza por una placa escamosa de crecimiento lento y progresivo principalmente en áreas expuestas a radiación solar como cabeza, cuello y tronco. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 20 años con lesión en palma de mano que se inicia hace 10 años, en quien se diagnostica Enfermedad de Bowen, recibe tratamiento con imiquimod con evolución favorable.

Bowen's disease is a form of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and mucosa that affects patients older than 60 years reported cases is rare before age 30. It is characterized by a plaque squamous mainly slow and progressive growth in areas exposed to solar radiation as the head, neck and trunk. We report the case of a patient of 20 years with palm of hand injury that begins 10 years ago, who was diagnosed in Bowen's disease, treated with imiquimod with favorable outcome.

Tuberculosis colicuativa / Colliquative cutaneous tuberculosis

La Tuberculosis cutánea es una enfermedad infecciosa crónica causada por Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Se presenta en una variedad de formas clínicas que dependen de la vía de llegada del bacilo a la piel y del estado inmunológico del huésped; la mayoría procede de fuente endógena. LaTuberculosis es una enfermedad de alta prevalencia en países en vías de desarrollo como el nuestro, siendo las formas cutáneas cerca del 1 % -2 % del total de las tuberculosis. En los últimos tiempos se ha visto un resurgimiento de la tuberculosis cutánea que se corresponde con el aumento en la incidencia de la tuberculosis en todo el mundo. Se reporta el caso de un paciente varón de 22 años con una tumoración fluctuante en la axila derecha que correspondió a una tuberculosis colicuativa o escrofuloderma y evolucionó favorablemente al tratamiento antituberculoso; una primera fase con rifampicina 600 mg/día, isoniacida 300 mg/día, pirazinamida 1.5 g/día y tambutol 1.2g/día, diario excepto domingos y feriados por 2 meses; seguidos de una segunda fase con isoniacida 800mg/d y rifampicina 600mg/d, dos veces por semana por 4 meses, observándose una resolución completa del proceso. Presentamos este caso por ser una entidad de difícil diagnóstico, por su variada presentación clínica y la dificultad de su confirmación diagnóstica.

The colliquative cutaneous tuberculosis is achronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It appears ina broad clinical spectrum that depends onthe orute of arrival of the bacillus to the skin and on the immunological condition of the guest; the majority come from endogenous. Tuberculosis is a disease og high prevalence in developing countries as ours, being the cutaneous forms near 1 û 2% of the total. Now a days it has seen a revival of the cutaneous tuberculosis corresponding to the increase in the incident of tuberculosis in the world. This is the case of a 22 year-old male patient with a fluctuating tumor in the right axilla that correrponded to a collicuative cutaneous tuberculosis or scrofuloderma and favorably outcome with the antituberculosis treatment. The initial phase with rifampin 600 mg/day and etambutol 1,2 g/ day, except on Sundays and hoilidays during 2 months, followed by the second phase with isoniazid 800 mg/d and rifampicin 600 mg(day twice a week for 4 months. A full clinical recovery was observed. This case is brought due to its difficult diagnose, its clinical spectrum and the difficulty of the diagnose confirmation.

Liquen plano pigmentoso / Lichen planus pigmentosus

El liquen plano pigmentoso (LPP) es una variante relativamente rara de liquen plano (LP), se define como un desorden crónico pigmentario caracterizado por máculas hiperpigmentadas que afecta áreas expuestas al sol como la cara, cuello y extremidades superiores. Presentamos el caso de una paciente mujer de 23 años con una dermatosis pigmentaria anular en rostro que resultó clínica e histopatológicamente compatible con liquen plano pigmentoso. Se reporta el caso por la poca frecuencia de esta patología, la misma que debe entrar en el diagnóstico diferencial de las dermatosis hiperpigmentadas en zonas fotoexpuestas.

The lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) is arelatively rare variant of flat lichen (LP), isdefined as a chronic pigmentary disorder characterized by hyperpigmented stains that affects areas exposed to the Sun as the face, neck and upper extremities. LetÆs sense beforehand the case of a patient woman of 23 years old with a pigmentary dermatosis to annul in face that turned out to be clinical and histopatológicamente compatiblly with flat lichen pigmentoso. The case brings for small frequency of this pathology, the same one that must enter the differential diagnosis of the hyperpigmented dermatosis photoexposed zones.