Phototherapy in sclerosing and pseudo-sclerosing skin diseases Fototerapia en enfermedades cutáneas esclerosantes y pseudoesclerosantes.

Sclerosing and pseudo-sclerosing skin diseases are a therapeutic challenge. Ultraviolet radiation, depending on its wavelength, penetrates into different layers of the skin and acts on cells that promote tissue remodeling and differentiation, such as keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Furthermore, it modulates the inflammatory processes in dendritic cells, endothelial cells, and leukocytes by intervening in the production of cytokines and profibrotic molecules. For these reasons ultraviolet light is a useful option in the treatment of these conditions. Las enfermedades esclerosantes y pseudoesclerosantes de la piel son un grupo de dermatosis que suponen un reto terapéutico para el clínico. La radiación ultravioleta, de acuerdo con su longitud de onda, penetra en las diferentes capas de la piel y actúa sobre aquellas células que favorecen la diferenciación y remodelación tisular como queratinocitos y fibroblastos. Además, modula los procesos inflamatorios en células dendríticas, endoteliales y leucocitos al intervenir en la producción de citoquinas y moléculas profibróticas, volviéndose una alternativa útil en el tratamiento de estas condiciones.

Actinic prurigo in a dermatological reference center in Colombia: 108 cases / Prurigo actínico en un centro dermatológico de referencia en Colombia: 108 casos.

Introduction: Actinic prurigo is a chronic photodermatosis. It affects the Latin American population more frequently, predominantly women, and involves the sun-exposed areas of the skin, conjunctiva, and lips. Objective: To update the information on the clinical-epidemiological characteristics and treatment of patients with actinic prurigo in Colombia. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including the medical records of patients with actinic prurigo treated in the Photodermatology Service of Hospital Universitario Centro Dermatológico Federico Lleras Acosta between 2011 and 2016. We described the demographic, clinical, histopathological, and treatment characteristics of the patients. Results: We included 108 patients, 77 (71.3%) were women and 31 (28.7%) men, mainly with phototypes III-IV (70%). The disease had begun during the first decade of life in 66.4% of the cases and 25% of the patients had a family history with the condition. The lesions predominated on the face (93.5%), forearms (79.6%), and back of the hands (70.4%). Ocular (87.9%) and lip (88.8%) involvement was also documented. A photo-provocation test with UVA was performed in 25% of the cases and skin biopsies in 19.4%. Physical and chemical photoprotection was indicated in all patients. Mild to moderate cases were treated with topical corticosteroids (91.7%) and calcineurin inhibitors (65.7%) while severe cases received thalidomide (33.3%) and pentoxifylline (14.8%). Conclusion: The characteristics of actinic prurigo patients in Colombia are similar to those reported in other Latin American countries: early onset of the disease, predominance in women, frequent involvement of conjunctiva and lips, and adequate response to topical and systemic treatment.

Introducción. El prurigo actínico es una fotodermatosis crónica. Afecta con mayor frecuencia a la población latinoamericana, predomina en mujeres y compromete la piel expuesta al sol, las conjuntivas y los labios. Objetivo. Actualizar la información sobre las características clínico-epidemiológicas y el tratamiento de pacientes con prurigo actínico en Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio de corte transversal que incluyó los registros clínicos de pacientes con prurigo actínico atendidos en el Servicio de Fotodermatología del Hospital Universitario Centro Dermatológico Federico Lleras Acosta entre el 2011 y el 2016, y se describieron sus características demográficas, clínicas e histopatológicas, así como su tratamiento. Resultados. Se incluyeron 108 pacientes, el 71,3 % de ellos mujeres y el 28,7% hombres, con predominio de los fototipos III-IV (70 %). La enfermedad se había iniciado durante la primera década de vida en el 66,4% de los casos y el 25 % de los pacientes tenía antecedentes familiares de la enfermedad. Las lesiones predominaban en el rostro (93,5 %), los antebrazos (79,6 %) y el dorso de las manos (70,4 %). También, se documentó compromiso ocular (87,9 %) y de los labios (88,8 %). Se hizo la prueba de fotoprovocación con radiación ultravioleta A en el 25 % de los casos y biopsia cutánea en el 19,4 %. Todos los pacientes se trataron con protección solar química y física. En los casos leves a moderados, se formularon corticoides tópicos (91,7 %) e inhibidores de la calcineurina (65,7 %), y en los graves, talidomida (33,3 %) y pentoxifilina (14,8 %). Conclusión. Las características de los pacientes colombianos con prurigo actínico son similares a las reportadas en otros países latinoamericanos: inicio temprano de la enfermedad, predominio en mujeres, compromiso frecuente de conjuntivas y labios, y adecuada respuesta al tratamiento tópico y sistémico.

Prurigo actínico en un centro dermatológico de referencia en Colombia: 108 casos / Actinic prurigo in a dermatological reference center in Colombia: 108 cases

Introducción. El prurigo actínico es una fotodermatosis crónica. Afecta con mayor frecuencia a la población latinoamericana, predomina en mujeres y compromete la piel expuesta al sol, las conjuntivas y los labios. Objetivo. Actualizar la información sobre las características clínico-epidemiológicas y el tratamiento de pacientes con prurigo actínico en Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio de corte transversal que incluyó los registros clínicos de pacientes con prurigo actínico atendidos en el Servicio de Fotodermatología del Hospital Universitario Centro Dermatológico Federico Lleras Acosta entre el 2011 y el 2016, y se describieron sus características demográficas, clínicas e histopatológicas, así como su tratamiento. Resultados. Se incluyeron 108 pacientes, el 71,3 % de ellos mujeres y el 28,7% hombres, con predominio de los fototipos III-IV (70 %). La enfermedad se había iniciado durante la primera década de vida en el 66,4% de los casos y el 25 % de los pacientes tenía antecedentes familiares de la enfermedad. Las lesiones predominaban en el rostro (93,5 %), los antebrazos (79,6 %) y el dorso de las manos (70,4 %). También, se documentó compromiso ocular (87,9 %) y de los labios (88,8 %). Se hizo la prueba de fotoprovocación con radiación ultravioleta A en el 25 % de los casos y biopsia cutánea en el 19,4 %. Todos los pacientes se trataron con protección solar química y física. En los casos leves a moderados, se formularon corticoides tópicos (91,7 %) e inhibidores de la calcineurina (65,7 %), y en los graves, talidomida (33,3 %) y pentoxifilina (14,8 %). Conclusión. Las características de los pacientes colombianos con prurigo actínico son similares a las reportadas en otros países latinoamericanos: inicio temprano de la enfermedad, predominio en mujeres, compromiso frecuente de conjuntivas y labios, y adecuada respuesta al tratamiento tópico y sistémico.

Introduction: Actinic prurigo is a chronic photodermatosis. It affects the Latin American population more frequently, predominantly women, and involves the sun-exposed areas of the skin, conjunctiva, and lips. Objective: To update the information on the clinical-epidemiological characteristics and treatment of patients with actinic prurigo in Colombia. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including the medical records of patients with actinic prurigo treated in the Photodermatology Service of Hospital Universitario Centro Dermatológico Federico Lleras Acosta between 2011 and 2016. We described the demographic, clinical, histopathological, and treatment characteristics of the patients. Results: We included 108 patients, 77 (71.3%) were women and 31 (28.7%) men, mainly with phototypes III-IV (70%). The disease had begun during the first decade of life in 66.4% of the cases and 25% of the patients had a family history with the condition. The lesions predominated on the face (93.5%), forearms (79.6%), and back of the hands (70.4%). Ocular (87.9%) and lip (88.8%) involvement was also documented. A photo-provocation test with UVA was performed in 25% of the cases and skin biopsies in 19.4%. Physical and chemical photoprotection was indicated in all patients. Mild to moderate cases were treated with topical corticosteroids (91.7%) and calcineurin inhibitors (65.7%) while severe cases received thalidomide (33.3%) and pentoxifylline (14.8%). Conclusion: The characteristics of actinic prurigo patients in Colombia are similar to those reported in other Latin American countries: early onset of the disease, predominance in women, frequent involvement of conjunctiva and lips, and adequate response to topical and systemic treatment.

Epidermal Langerhans cells resistance to solar-simulated radiation in actinic prurigo patients with low minimal erythema dose.

BACKGROUND: Actinic prurigo is a chronic photodermatosis of unclear pathogenesis. Epidermal Langerhans cell resistance to migration after ultraviolet radiation exposure has been proposed as a possible mechanism, as occurs in polymorphic light eruption patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of solar-simulated radiation (SSR) on epidermal Langerhans cells in the uninvolved skin of actinic prurigo patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with actinic prurigo participated in the study. A biopsy from the uninvolved and unirradiated skin of the left buttock was performed, and another from the uninvolved skin of the right buttock, 72 hours after exposure to two MEDs of SSR. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to identify Langerhans cells (CD1a) in all samples. RESULTS: In actinic prurigo patients with normal MED, there was a significant decrease in the number of epidermal Langerhans cells on the buttock skin exposed to two MED of SSR compared with the unirradiated buttock skin (P = .02 and .035 respectively). On the contrary, in patients with low MED there were no significant differences in the number of epidermal Langerhans cells between irradiated and unirradiated skin (P = .39). CONCLUSION: Epidermal Langerhans cells migration after ultraviolet radiation exposure is decreased in actinic prurigo patients with low MED as has been reported in PLE patients, especially, those with low MED or positive UVB provocation tests. Langerhans cells resistance could be part of a common pathogenic mechanism in these two photodermatoses.

Sarcoidal granulomatous reaction due to tattoos: report of two cases.

Numerous infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic complications secondary to tattoo placement have been reported in the literature. Within inflammatory complications sarcoidal granulomatous reactions have been described. We report two cases, a 55-year-old woman with yellowish infiltrated plaques on bilateral ciliary region, 16 years after the placement of a permanent tattoo in the eyebrows, and a 20-year-old tattoo artist who developed orange papules on 3 of his tattoos. Histopathology in both cases confirmed diagnosis of sarcoidal granulomatous reaction due to tattoo pigment.

Sarcoidal granulomatous reaction due to tattoos: report of two cases

Abstract Numerous infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic complications secondary to tattoo placement have been reported in the literature. Within inflammatory complications sarcoidal granulomatous reactions have been described. We report two cases, a 55-year-old woman with yellowish infiltrated plaques on bilateral ciliary region, 16 years after the placement of a permanent tattoo in the eyebrows, and a 20-year-old tattoo artist who developed orange papules on 3 of his tattoos. Histopathology in both cases confirmed diagnosis of sarcoidal granulomatous reaction due to tattoo pigment.

Twice- vs. thrice-weekly MPD PUVA in psoriasis: a randomized-controlled efficacy study.

BACKGROUND: Oral psoralen-ultraviolet A (PUVA) has been the treatment of choice of moderate to severe forms of psoriasis, however there is no standardized worldwide protocol. Twice- and thrice-weekly regimens had been used. In this study we compare the efficacy of these regimens. METHODS: Two PUVA regimens in 28 patients with clinical diagnosis of psoriasis, with symmetric and no less than 20% of body surface area involvement, using a half-body study, were compared. Each patient body half was randomized to receive either twice- or thrice-weekly PUVA. A blinded trained dermatologist assessed the PASI score in each body half at the beginning of the study and at clearance or after 25 sessions. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients completed the study. There were no significant differences in the efficacy of both treatments considering the median percentage of PASI decrease (92.9% for the body half with the twice-weekly regimen and 94.8% for the thrice-weekly treatment, P=0.179). There were significant differences comparing the median number of sessions needed for clearance and the median cumulative doses, favouring the twice-weekly regimen (15 vs. 22, P=0.000, and 142.5 vs. 241.4 J/cm(2), P=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The treatment of psoriasis patients with twice- or thrice-weekly PUVA in this study was equally effective, the number of sessions required and the cumulative doses of UVA were lower with the twice-weekly regimen.

Causal agents of photoallergic contact dermatitis diagnosed in the national institute of dermatology of Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and identify the photoallergens causing photoallergic contact dermatitis in the population attending the outpatient clinic of the Centro Dermatologico Federico Lleras Acosta (CDFLLA), the National Institute of Dermatology of Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-two patients with clinical diagnosis of photoallergic contact dermatitis enter the study. These patients attended the CDFLLA between August 2001 and May 2003. Photopatch tests were performed using the standard series of sunscreens (Chemotechnique Diagnostics) and 6-methylcoumarin. Cetyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, methylparabene, propylene glycol, triethanolamine, propylparabene, trichlorocarbanilide and dichromate were also included. The allergens were applied in duplicate on the healthy skin of the back and covered with opaque tape withdrawn 24 h later, the panel on the right was irradiated with an ultraviolet A dose of 5 J/cm(2). The tests were read 24 h after the application of the allergens, 24 and 72 h post-irradiation. The readings were assessed according to the visual scoring system recommended by the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (31.7%) showed positive photopatch test responses to one or several allergens. Four of them showed positive results to three components of the series and four patients to two components. Thirty-eight photoallergic and 18 allergic reactions were observed. Ultraviolet filters were the substances which more frequently produced positive photopatch test responses (30.5%). The most common ultraviolet filter photoallergen was benzophenone-3 with 22/82 positive results (26.8%), followed by octyl methoxycinnamate (8/82), benzophenone-4 and mexenone (2/82), phenylbenzimidazole sulphonic acid, methylbenziliden camphor and octyl dimethyl PABA (1/82). One patient showed a photoallergic response to 6-methylcoumarin. There was a concordance between the allergen which elicited the positive response and the use of different substances which contained that molecule among its compounds in 17 patients (65.3%). 19.5% of the patients (16/82) showed positive results to one or several allergens in the irradiated panel as well as in the unirradiated control site. These cases were diagnosed as contact allergy, probably caused by aeroallergens, presenting a natural history and a clinical picture similar to photocontact allergy. The most common allergen was dichromate with 10 positive results. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm that sunscreens are the more frequently involved substances in photoallergic contact dermatitis in our population. Identification of the photoallergen is the key element for adequate disease control and patient education.

Association of HLA subtype DRB10407 in Colombian patients with actinic prurigo.

BACKGROUND: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DRB1*0407 had been associated with actinic prurigo in different populations. This class II HLA-DR subtype had not been studied in Colombia. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to establish whether there was an association of actinic prurigo with HLA DR in a Colombian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with a clinical diagnosis of actinic prurigo and 40 healthy subjects, paired by age, sex and birthplace, were studied. HLA typing for HLA DRB1 and DRB1*04, if necessary, was performed by the PCR-SSP method using blood samples. RESULTS: A high frequency of HLA DRB1*0407 was found in the patients (97.5% vs. 30%; P<0.00001). The allelic frequency of HLA DRB1*0407 was 63.8% in the case group, and 14.5% in the controls (P<0.00001). In the control group, there was a higher frequency of the alleles DRB1*01 (14.5% vs. 1.25%; P=0.0027) and DRB1*13 (23.7% vs. 2.5%; P=0.00013). LIMITATIONS: The small number of controls does not allow us to drive conclusions about other HLA alleles. CONCLUSIONS: HLA subtype DRB1*0407, found in actinic prurigo patients in studies conducted in England, Scotland, Ireland and Mexico, was also associated in Colombian patients. This finding, concordant in patients from different ethnic groups, could be helpful in the diagnosis of this disease and probably important in its pathogenesis. DRB1*01 and DRB1*13 alleles were more frequent in controls than in patients; we do not know whether they play any role in the resistance to the disease.

¿Que es la fotodermatologia? / What is photodermatology?

La fotodermatología es un importante campo en la práctica dermatológica. Estudia la interacción de la radiación ultravioleta y la piel, inclusive las respuestas fisiológicas y patológicas, sus mecanismos, diagnóstico, tratamiento y prevención, así como su uso terapéutico. Del conocimiento profundo de estos aspectos depende el manejo racional de las enfermedades lumínicas y la educación adecuada al paciente y la comunidad