Influence of COVID-19 pandemic on hospitalizations at the tertiary dermatology department in south-west Poland.

New virus SARS-Cov-2 infection has spread over the world affecting all daily activities, including functioning of health services. Due to pandemic, many hospitals were ordered to re-organize their work. The aim of the current report was to evaluate the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on the hospitalizations at the tertiary dermatology department in south-west Poland. Two corresponding periods of 2019 and 2020 were compared in aspect of number of hospitalizations, sex, and age profile of inpatients. We clearly showed a significant reduction of hospitalized patients during the pandemic period, with marked reduction of female patients. Moreover, the significant decrease of admissions to dermatology ward was observed within children and patients older than 70 years. Patients with chronic inflammatory dermatoses (eg, atopic dermatitis, eczemas, lichen planus, pityriasis rubra pilaris) were less often hospitalized during the pandemic period. In contrast, patients suffering from dermatitis due to substances taken internally, erysipelas, syphilis, and primary cutaneous lymphomas constituted significantly higher rate of hospitalized subjects in the year 2020.

Family Reported Outcome Measure - 16 (FROM-16): Creation, Reliability and Reproducibility of the Polish Language Version.

Chronic diseases not only have a direct influence on patients' quality of life, but can also affect the life of family members. The aim of this study was to create the Polish language version of a questionnaire estimating impact of disease on quality of family life: the Family Reported Outcome Measure - 16 (FROM-16). A standard forward and backward translation procedure was used to convert the original English version of FROM-16 into the Polish language. Creation of the Polish version was performed in a group of 30 patients' family members. The Polish language version of FROM-16 showed very good internal consistency reliability, the Cronbach α coefficient was 0.89. Reproducibility level was established with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.98. The Polish language version of FROM-16 can potentially be used as a tool to assess quality of life of patients' family members.

[Amygdalin - structure and clinical significance]. / Amigdalina - budowa i znaczenie kliniczne.

In this publication we described amygdalin. It was isolated for the first time in the 19th century. Amygdalin is called interchangeably vitamin B17 or laetrile. Since more than a hundred years, there has been reports about its unique anticancer properties. We tried to introduce the present knowledge about therapeutic efficacy of laetrile. Most of these studies has been made in the in vitro environment. The lack of appropriate studies forced scientists to examine the positive influence of amygdalin on many diseases like: bladder cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, promyelocytic leukemia, chronic kidney disease, psoriasis and other.

Adverse events related to topical drug treatments for acne vulgaris.

Introduction: Acne vulgaris is a widespread skin disease. Topical therapy is a standard treatment for mild to moderate acne. Given the complex pathophysiology of acne, various agents with complementary action are nowadays frequently combined to increase the efficacy of therapy.Area covered: This review focus on safety profile of topical agents used for the treatment of acne vulgaris, including topical retinoids, benzyl peroxide, azelaic acid, topical antibiotic, and combined agents. Data from clinical trials but also metanalyses, systematic reviews, and other secondary analyses are presented.Expert opinion: In general, topical agents used for acne vulgaris have a favorable safety profile. The most commonly reported AEs were associated with local skin irritation, usually mild to moderate in intensity, intermittent, and rarely led to the cessation of therapy. Irritative potential seems to be highest for BPO and topical retinoids. Due to the possibility of development of Cutibacterium acnes resistance, topical antibiotics should not be used in monotherapy but as a part of combination therapy. In female adolescent and adults of childbearing potential, topical retinoids should be used with caution, because they are contraindicated in pregnant females (FDA Pregnancy category) C (adapalene, tretinoin) and X (tazarotene).

[Betatrophin - the turn in diabetes treatment]. / Betatrofina - przelom w leczeniu cukrzycy.

The topic of the present work is the appearance of the newest research in diabetes treatment. Till now, the patients were forced to inject insulin or take oral medicines to maintain proper glucose level. Introduction of the incretin group of medicines to the market turned out to be a breakthrough in diabetes treatment. It defers the necessity of insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes. Studies connected with amyline were the next step in diabetes therapy. The new research connected with peptide betatrophin seems to comes as the biggest surprise and hope for diabetics. The hormone stimulates B-cells proliferation, which leads to increase in endogenous insulin production. It generates a chance for a fewer number of injections, which will result in better quality of life.