Evaluation of plasma levels of tissue factor and tissue factor pathway inhibitor in patients with psoriasis.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory skin disorder with systemic involvement. It has recently been established that psoriasis is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. Chronic skin-specific inflammation may promote atherosclerosis. Myocardial infarction or stroke can also be a result of underlying haemostasis disorders. Disorders in fibrinolysis and thrombosis in patients with psoriasis have been observed by many authors. AIM: This study points to the key role played by the tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) in the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation and the potential influence of microvascular disorders in inflamed psoriatic skin on TF and TFPI activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 47 patients with active psoriasis vulgaris, hospitalized in the Dermatological Ward of the Regional Specialist Hospital, Research and Development Centre in Wroclaw, as well as 18 people from the control group. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the blood concentrations of TF and TFPI in patients with psoriasis when compared to the control group. A low TFPI concentration in psoriatic patients may indicate an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Interpretation of a decreased level of TF in patients with psoriasis is difficult because it seems to be at odds with observations among patients with other atherosclerosis risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes or smoking. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that further studies are necessary to explain this problem, perhaps to include an evaluation of TF levels in psoriatic skin.

Chronic Kidney Disease-associated Pruritus in Children.

This study evaluated the frequency and severity of pruritus and dry skin in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). A total of 103 children were included: 72 with CKD stage 3­5 (34 on dialysis and 38 treated conservatively without dialysis) and 31 as a reference group. Pruritus was assessed using the 4-item Itch Questionnaire and a visual analogue scale. Skin dryness was evaluated clinically, by non-invasive assessment of epidermal hydration and measurement of transepidermal water loss. Pruritus occurred in 20.8% of children with CKD, 18.4% on conservative treatment (receiving supportive care without dialysis) and 23.5% on dialysis. Xerosis was more common in children with pruritus (66.7%) than in those without pruritus (50.9%). Patients with pruritus had a significantly lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and a higher ratio of calcium × phosphate product (Ca × P). In conclusion, CKD-associated pruritus occurs not only in adults, but also in children, and it may already be present in the early stages of CKD.

Disturbed skin barrier in children with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on skin lesions in children with end-stage renal failure. The aim of the study was an evaluation of the skin barrier in children with different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The prevalence of xerosis, its severity, as well as its link selected demographic factors, were examined. METHODS: The study included 103 children: 72 with CKD stages 3-5 (38 on conservative treatment and 34 on dialysis) and 31 patients with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis as a control group. Initially, the study subjects described the localisation and severity of dry skin by themselves. Next, clinical evaluation of xerosis, non-invasive corneometric assessment of epidermis moisturising and the measurement of transepidermal water loss were performed. RESULTS: Most CKD children reported dry skin. The problem of xerosis was identified more frequently in patients on dialysis (67.6 %) than on conservative treatment (42.1 %) (p = 0.01). CKD patients divided according to skin dryness did not differ with regards to age, sex, initial kidney disease and CKD duration. CONCLUSIONS: Disturbed skin barrier is an important concern of children with CKD, intensifying as the disease progresses. This symptom occurs on early stages of CKD and it should be taken into consideration in the CKD management.