Subcutaneous sarcoidosis: a case series from a single center.

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disease which not only affect the skin but can also involve the lymph nodes, eyes, and lungs. Subcutaneous sarcoidosis (SCS), is a rare form of sarcoidosis which is generally more prevalent in women in their 40s and 50s, characterized by subcutaneous, flesh-colored nodules, mostly localized on the limbs. A retrospective study to investigate clinical features and response to treatment in patients affected by SCS. METHODS: All patients with systemic and/or cutaneous sarcoidosis visited in our clinic hospital between 2012 and 2022. Out of this group, clinical features, and management of SCS patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 102 patients with specific lesions of cutaneous sarcoidosis, with or without systemic involvement, 13 (13%) were diagnosed with SCS. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that systemic involvement in SCS is the prevalent finding as expected. Moreover, SCS patients have a relatively good prognosis, and systemic treatment does not differ from first-line therapies for cutaneous sarcoidosis.

An easy to use, ceramide-containing skincare routine: effectiveness and improvement of quality of life in elderly patients with xerosis.

BACKGROUND: Xerosis negatively impacts the quality of life (QoL) for older adults by producing pruritus (itching), burning or stinging, and an uncomfortable sensation of tightness in the skin. Furthermore, chronic illness and pharmacological therapies could worsen skin health. Severe xerosis can also result in redness or cracking of the skin. The aim of this prospective open-label trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of a ceramide-based moisturizing cream and cleanser routine on elderly xerosis. METHODS: During the 4-week treatment study, patients followed the routine according to the established protocol. At different timepoints (baseline, visit 1; after 28±5 days, visit 2) evaluations on the skin health and QoL of the patients were conducted by a healthcare professional (HCP), along with a patients' self-evaluation. RESULTS: The study demonstrates that the treatment with the investigated products determines an overall significant improvement in all skin dryness criteria. In particular, after the observational period: 93% of the subjects had no or minimal skin roughness; 96% of patients had no or minimal discomfort due to skin dryness; 97% of patients did not present any fissures; patient self-assessments on skin dryness were consistent with HCP evaluation. QoL has globally improved in all patients, with a significant reduction of embarrassment, and a positive impact on social and daily activities. Patients' overall satisfaction was high in 87% of patients and 93% of them stated that they would continue the treatment also after the study had been completed. CONCLUSIONS: After 4 weeks, the daily use of a ceramide-based routine significantly improved signs and symptoms of senile xerosis and chronic discomfort associated with xerosis in elderly adults. Furthermore, the impact of senile xerosis on subjects' QoL was also reduced after 4 weeks. The subjects also reported high satisfaction with the skincare regimen and its results.

Psoriasis and Cardiovascular Risk in Children: The Usefulness of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness.

Psoriasis is a skin disorder which mostly affects adults, beginning in childhood in almost one-third of patients. In adults it is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), while this association is still debated at younger age. Our aim was to evaluate the association between psoriasis and metabolic markers and cardiovascular findings in this age group. Twenty consecutive patients previously diagnosed with psoriasis (group A) were enrolled and compared with healthy non- psoriatic age- and sex-matched subjects (group B). The severity of the disease, CV risk factors, including anthropometric data with adiposity and its distribution, blood pressure (BP), laboratory metabolic tests, echocardiography and vascular ultrasound (transcranial echo-Doppler and carotid artery echo-Doppler with carotid intima-media thickness, cIMT) were performed for each subject. Personal history for CV risk, BP, anthropometric data were similar between the two groups, while familiar history for psoriasis was more frequent in group A (p < 0.02). C-IMT was significantly higher in group A compared to B (right, p = 0.001; left, p = 0.002). In addition, c-IMT was positively correlated with disease duration, triglycerides and triglycerides/glucose. Cerebral flow velocities, cardiac measurements, systo-diastolic function, ventricle geometry and mass were normal and comparable between the two groups, and did not correlate with CV risk factors. In childhood psoriasis c-IMT could represent a marker of pre-clinical cardiovascular involvement and contribute to start a personalized management, while cardiac findings seem to be normal in the early stage of disease. Longitudinal studies can clarify the progression of CV involvement in paediatric-onset psoriasis.

Nail surgery: the effect of clinical and psychological characteristics on post-surgical quality of life and pain severity

Background: Nail disease and nail surgery are commonly perceived as painful and distressful experiences that can significantly affect patient health-related quality of life. A comprehensive management of patients undergoing dermatological surgery could improve their emotional experience, influence quality of life and, hopefully, improve their adaptation to the intervention. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether patient psychological characteristics may relate to nail intervention procedures and influence post-surgical quality of life and pain severity. Materials & Methods: This prospective observational monocentric cohort study was conducted in the Dermatology Nail Unit of Bologna. Patient candidates for nail surgery, meeting the inclusion criteria, were invited to participate in the study which consisted of completion of a self-report questionnaire before (Time 1) and one month after (Time 2) surgery. Results: Nail surgery was performed for 102 patients: 46 underwent highly invasive and 56 mildly invasive nail procedures. In total, 46 nail tumours were excised which were shown to be benign in 36 cases and malignant in 10 cases. Patients with a high level of pain sensitivity and trait of anxiety reported significantly lower levels of quality of life and high levels of pain intensity one month after surgery (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our findings highlight the need for clinicians to consider the psychological characteristics of patients following dermatological surgery care in order to balance the negative impact of trait anxiety, pain sensitivity and negative treatment expectations regarding post-surgery quality of life and pain severity.

Mortality of patients with bullous pemphigoid in Italy: a retrospective study of a monocentric experience.

BACKGROUND: Mortality of bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a variable parameter, depending especially on the area where the study was conducted. The 1-year mortality rate and the identification of clinic-therapeutic factors with potential prognostic value in patients with BP were evaluated in a cohort from a single referral center. METHODS: We have reviewed medical records of patients with BP diagnosed at the Sant' Orsola-Malpighi Hospital in Bologna (Italy) between 2005 and 2019. Data collected included sex, age at diagnosis, laboratory findings, severity of disease, dosage of systemic treatments, age at death and comorbidities. Only patients who had at least 1 year of follow-up were included. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients were included; the mortality rate was 7.1%. The mortality rate of patients treated with a moderate dosage of corticosteroids was no higher than that of patients treated with a low dosage. The log-rank test showed a statistically significant correlation between mortality and patients aged ≥85, BP230 positive, and CCIS≥4. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with similar studies, our results show a lower 1-year mortality rate. Advanced age at diagnosis and CCIS were confirmed as major independent factors associated with poor prognosis in BP. Administration of moderate dosage of oral corticosteroids seems to have an overall positive benefit-risk ratio, providing a good control of the disease and minimizing the risk of hospitalization, possible related complications and the mortality rate.

Fractional CO2 laser and vulvar lichen sclerosus: an alternative resource during maintenance therapy? A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Lichen sclerosus is an autoimmune dermatosis that in women typically involves vulvar area. This condition can strongly impact on the quality of life. To date, topical steroids are the most effective treatment, although adverse effects are possible, especially in long-term application. The aims of this study are: 1) to investigate the efficacy of fractional CO2 laser in reducing symptoms of vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) during maintenance therapy with topical steroids (application twice weekly or less); 2) to assess how long this reduction of symptoms persists during follow-up; 3) histological comparison before and after treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first prospective study evaluating this treatment in women with VLS. METHODS: Women with a diagnosis of VLS were prospectively enrolled and treated with fractional CO2 laser every 2 months, for a total of 3 sessions. Four questionnaires were periodically administered: the Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI), the Female Sexual Functional Index (FSFI) and two specific questionnaires created to assess the severity of disease. RESULTS: Twenty-three adult women were enrolled. The fractional CO2 laser treatment significantly improved the scores of all scales from baseline to T4 questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: Fractional CO2 laser proved to be effective on VLS symptoms and can be considered an alternative to corticosteroids during maintenance therapy. Larger studies with a control group and randomization are needed to safely generalize our findings.

Correction to: Pathogenesis, Clinical Signs and Treatment Recommendations in Brittle Nails: A Review.

Unfortunately, the co-author name was incorrectly published as "Jose L. López-Esterbaranz" instead of 'Jose L. López-Estebaranz" in the original article. The correct version of author name is updated here.The original article has been corrected.