Prevalence of dermatoses in geriatric singaporeans in the community - a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the prevalence of dermatoses in "skin-well" geriatric Singaporeans. We aim to identify the prevalence of dermatoses and their associations within the geriatric population in Singapore, and to understand the distribution of dermatological encounters presenting to primary care physicians, and the resultant referral behaviour. METHODS: A joint quantitative-qualitative study was performed across 8 months. Patients aged 65 years and above who visited a local polyclinic for management of non-dermatological chronic diseases were recruited. They were administered questionnaires, and underwent full skin examinations. Online surveys were disseminated to polyclinic physicians under the same healthcare cluster. RESULTS: 201 patients and 53 physicians were recruited. The most common dermatoses identified in patients were benign tumours and cysts (97.5%), and asteatosis (81.6%). For every 1-year increase in age, the odds of having asteatosis increased by 13.5% (95% CI 3.4-24.7%, p = 0.008), and urticarial disorders by 14.6% (95% CI 0.3-30.9%, p = 0.045). Patients who used any form of topical preparations on a daily basis had higher odds of having eczema and inflammatory dermatoses (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.38 to 4.56, p = 0.003). Physicians reported dermatological conditions involving 20% of all clinical encounters. Eczema represented the most commonly reported dermatosis within the first visit. 50% of dermatology referrals were done solely at the patient's own request. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dermatoses in the elderly in Singapore is high, especially asteatosis. Prompt recognition by the primary healthcare provider potentially prevents future morbidity. Outreach education for both primary care physicians and the general public will be key. ETHICS APPROVAL: National Healthcare group (NHG) Domain Specific Review Board (DSRB), Singapore, under Trial Registration Number 2020/00239, dated 11 August 2020.

Painless nodules on legs.

The location of the nodules and the patient's history were important diagnostic clues. The punch biopsy confirmed our suspicions.

Two Cases of Dyskeratosis Congenita with Clinically Distinct Presentations, Seen in National University Hospital, Singapore.

Dyskeratosis congenita (DKC) is a genodermatosis of variable inheritance and is often characterised by the classical triad of nail dysplasia, reticulate hyperpigmentation of upper chest and neck, and oral leukoplakia. We report 2 cases of DKC from National University Hospital, Singapore, whose clinical presentations differed greatly from each other. Dermatologists should hold a high index of suspicion for DKC in young patients who present without the classical triad of features, as early dermatological care can be instituted through reinforcement of rigorous sun protection and regular surveillance for skin cancers. Early diagnosis also offers physicians the time to organise haematopoietic stem cell transplantation if necessary, as bone marrow failure is often inevitable. As a multisystemic disease with high morbidity and mortality particularly from haematological complications if left undetected and untreated in the early stages, the role of the dermatologist in diagnosing DKC is a crucial one.

Unusual Presentations of Eccrine Porocarcinomas.

Eccrine porocarcinomas (EPCs) are rare tumours, albeit the most common malignant adnexal tumours of the skin. They can present with very heterogeneous clinical and dermoscopic features, rendering diagnosis limited to histopathological examination alone. We share 2 cases of EPCs, one of which arose in a patient with a prior diagnosis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and another whose EPC was likely a malignant transformation of an existing poroma. An occurrence of porocarcinoma after the diagnosis of SCC may suggest the possibility of unknown risk factors for both. Positivity to androgen, oestrogen, and epidermal growth factor receptors was seen in a proportion of porocarcinomas, and this may prompt further research on combination therapy between conventional treatment modalities with hormone receptor antagonists. Malignant change of a poroma may be a more common phenomenon than we would expect based on the current literature.

Birth rates among male cancer survivors and mortality rates among their offspring: a population-based study from Sweden.

BACKGROUND: With improvements in treatment of cancer, more men of fertile age are survivors of cancer. This study evaluates trends in birth rates among male cancer survivors and mortality rates of their offspring. METHODS: From the Swedish Multi-generation Register and Cancer Register, we identified 84,752 men ≤70 years with a history of cancer, for which we calculated relative birth rates as compared to the background population(Standardized Birth Ratios, SBRs). We also identified 126,696 offspring of men who had cancer, and compared their risks of death to the background population(Standardized Mortality Ratio, SMRs). Independent factors associated with reduced birth rates and mortality rates were estimated with Poisson modelling. RESULTS: Men with a history of cancer were 23 % less likely to father a child compared to the background population(SBR 0.77, 95 % Confidence Interval[CI] 0.75-0.79). Nulliparous men were significantly more likely to father a child after diagnosis (SBR 0.81, 95 % CI 0.79-0.83) compared to parous men (SBR 0.68, 95 % CI 0.66-0.74). Cancer site(prostate), onset of cancer during childhood or adolescence, parity status at diagnosis(parous), current age(>40 years) and a recent diagnosis were significant and independent predictors of a reduced probability of fathering a child after diagnosis. Of the 126,696 children born to men who have had a diagnosis of cancer, 2604(2.06 %) died during follow up. The overall mortality rate was similar to the background population(SMR of 1.00, 95 %CI 0.96-1.04) and was not affected by the timing of their birth in relation to father's cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Male cancer survivors are less likely to father a child compared to the background population. This is influenced by cancer site, age of onset and parity status at diagnosis. However, their offspring are not at an increased risk of death.