Are the chilblain-like lesions observed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2? Systematic review and meta-analysis.

The expansion of the COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by numerous reports of chilblain-like lesions (CLL) in different countries; however, the pathogenesis of these lesions is still unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the prevalence of COVID-19 (diagnosed using PCR and/or serology) in patients with CLL. We undertook a literature search in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus (to 15 March 2021), including studies that reported on the number of patients with CLL with positive PCR and/or serology for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or with a clinical suspicion of COVID-19. Regardless of data heterogeneity, a random-effects model was used to pool prevalence estimates. The meta-analysis included 63 original studies, involving 2919 cases of CLL. A subgroup of these patients underwent diagnostic tests for COVID-19 (PCR: n = 1154, 39.5%; serology: n = 943, 32.3%). The pooled prevalence of COVID-19 in the overall sample and in the subgroup who were tested for COVID-19 was, respectively: (i) positive PCR: 2.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9% to 3.4%] and 5.5% (95% CI, 3.7-7.7%); (ii) positive serology for SARS-CoV-2: 7.2% (95% CI, 4.7-10.2%) and 11.8% (95% CI, 7.9-16.3%); and (iii) positive PCR and/or serology, 15.2% (95% CI, 10.4-20.7%) and 7.5% (95% CI, 5.1-10.3%). Altogether, a small proportion of diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2, both PCR and serologies, show positive results in patients with CLL.

Update on Chronic Prurigo. / Prurigo crónico: actualización.

Chronic prurigo is itself a common condition, but it can also occur secondary to a large number of diseases. Management is challenging as historically chronic prurigo has been poorly defined and very few treatments are available. Clinically, it presents as excoriated, hyperkeratotic lesions. When chronic prurigo is suspected, a comprehensive differential diagnosis is essential. New diagnostic criteria have appeared in recent years and new drugs have been developed. Although no truly effective treatment is yet available, patients will benefit from a greater understanding of this condition.

Chronic Nodular Prurigo: A Retrospective Study of 74 Cases. / Prurigo crónico nodular: Estudio retrospectivo de 74 casos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Chronic nodular prurigo (CNPG) is a recently defined and currently underdiagnosed disease with a variety of causes. It is associated with multiple comorbidities, and its management and treatment have improved with a better understanding of its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to describe our experience with a series of patients with CNPG. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Single-center, observational, retrospective study of the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with CNPG seen at the dermatology department of a tertiary care hospital between 2009 and 2021. RESULTS: We included 74 patients, mostly women (63.5%), with a mean age of 57 years. Overall, 39.2% of patients had a concomitant skin condition, mainly atopic dermatitis (62%). Other comorbidities included endocrine disorders (54.1%), cardiovascular disease (44.4%), and psychiatric disorders (36.5%). Skin biopsy helped confirm the clinical diagnosis in 70% of cases. The mean immunoglobulin E level was higher than normal (516 IU/mL), regardless of atopic predisposition. On average, patients received 3 treatments, the most common choices being methotrexate, antihistamines, and topical and oral corticosteroids. Methotrexate was among the most effective options. CONCLUSIONS: CNPG is a complex disease associated with multiple comorbidities. It requires a multidisciplinary approach, with the dermatologist at the center. Classical treatment approaches are probably insufficient.

Calciphylaxis: Risk Factors and Histologic Findings in a Case Series From a Tertiary Care Referral Hospital. / Calcifilaxis: factores de riesgo y hallazgos histológicos en una serie de casos de un hospital terciario.

Recent years have seen important advances in our understanding of calciphylaxis, especially regarding newly identified risk factors and histologic findings that may aid diagnosis. This retrospective study of cases of calciphylaxis treated in our hospital in the last 13 years focuses on newly revealed aspects of this disease. We describe 16 patients (62.5% women; mean age, 67.9 years). In addition to advanced kidney disease (in 75% of our patients), other factors associated with the presence of calciphylaxis were a history of treatments related to phosphorus and calcium metabolism (75%) and anticoagulation (62.5%), usually with vitamin-K antagonists. Histology showed alterations in elastic fibers in only 25% of the biopsy specimens. Eleven of the patients died: sepsis was most often the cause.