Efficacy and safety of 1064-nm fractional picosecond laser for the treatment of postmastectomy scars in transgender men: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Subcutaneous mastectomy is a crucial component of gender affirmation therapy for transgender men (TM), but the scars that result from this procedure can frequently impair their quality of life. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of 1064-nm fractional picosecond laser (FxPico) treatment for hypertrophic and atrophic postmastectomy scars in TM. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with a total of 35 pairs of bilateral symmetric mastectomy scars were enrolled. One of each pair of symmetric scars was randomly assigned to receive four FxPico treatments at 4-week intervals. All scars were evaluated using the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS) and three-dimensional imaging for scar roughness, melanin index, and hemoglobin index before each treatment session and at 1, 3, and 6 months following the last treatment. Additionally, participant-rated scar satisfaction (PSS) and scar improvement (Global Assessment Score, GAS), as well as adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: During the 6-month follow-up period after the end of laser treatment sessions, the treated scars showed significant reductions in the mVSS compared to the untreated controls (p < 0.001), whereas the melanin index and hemoglobin index were not significantly different. Subgroup analysis of hypertrophic scars demonstrated statistically significant reductions in mVSS at 1 (p = 0.003) and 3 months (p = 0.041) after the end of laser treatments. PSS was significantly higher on the laser-treated scars than the controls (p = 0.008), and a participant-rated GAS of 2.95 ± 0.65 was found. There were no serious adverse events reported. CONCLUSIONS: 1064-nm FxPico could be utilized to treat mastectomy scars among TM, particularly the hypertrophic type.

Dermoscopic Features and Their Diagnostic Values Among Common Inflammatory and Infectious Dermatoses: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Dermoscopy is a non-invasive tool widely used to improve the diagnostic accuracy of general dermatological conditions. Objective: To determine the dermoscopic features and their diagnostic value in distinguishing common inflammatory and infectious dermatoses. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients clinically diagnosed with common inflammatory or infectious skin diseases. Baseline characteristics and clinical and dermoscopic findings were recorded. Dermoscopic variables were analyzed using a correlation matrix. A skin biopsy was performed for each patient for a definitive diagnosis. Results: Of 102 patients, 43 with dermatitis, 30 with psoriasis, 14 with lichen planus (LP), 5 with pityriasis rosea (PR), and 10 with others were included. Dull red background, patchy vessels, and scales showed significant positive correlations with dermatitis (r = 0.401, 0.488, and 0.327, respectively; p < 0.01), whereas bright red background, glomerular vessels, regular vascular distribution, and diffuse scales revealed significant positive correlations with psoriasis (r = 0.412, 0.266, 0.798, and 0.401, respectively; p < 0.01). For LP, whitish reticulate structures, purplish background, and dotted vessels mixed with linear vessels in the peripheral distribution were significantly positively correlated (r = 0.831, 0.771, 0.224, and 0.558, respectively; p < 0.05). Yellowish background and peripheral scales were predictive of PR diagnosis (r = 0.254 and 0.583, respectively; p < 0.01). Conclusion: Dermoscopy can be used as an adjunctive tool to differentiate conditions among common inflammatory and infectious dermatoses in order to minimize unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures.

Chronic kidney disease is potentially an independent prognostic factor for death in Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis patients.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are mucocutaneous conditions associated with high mortality and morbidity. Although several prognostic factors have been proposed, some may have yet to be identified. A 14-year retrospective cohort study of patients with SJS/TEN was conducted at a university-based hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, to explore additional prognostic factors for mortality of patients with SJS/TEN. Medical records of all patients aged ≥18 years who were diagnosed with SJS, SJS-TEN overlap, or TEN between 2007 and 2020 were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine associations between death and potential prognostic factors. A total of 76 patients with a mean age of 52 years were enrolled. Among them, 46, 15, and 15 patients were diagnosed with SJS, SJS-TEN overlap, and TEN, respectively. Overall, 10 patients deceased, marking a mortality rate of 13.2%. Based on an algorithm for assessment of drug causality for epidermal necrolysis, drug was the major cause of disease (96.1%). Allopurinol and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole were the most frequent culprit drugs. Univariate analysis revealed nine prognostic factors related to death, i.e., age, malignancy, chronic kidney disease (CKD), coronary artery disease, heart rate >120 beats/min, diagnoses of SJS-TEN overlap and TEN, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) >10 mmol/L, hemoglobin <10 g/dL, and serum albumin <2 g/dL. Causality with regard to drug, drug notoriety, time interval from drug intake to onset of reaction, and timing of culprit drug withdrawal were not significantly associated with death. Four independent prognostic factors for mortality were identified from multivariate analysis, i.e., TEN (risk ratio [RR] 8.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.71-25.38), malignancy (RR 3.34, 95% CI: 1.68-6.69), BUN >10 mmol/L (RR 3.02, 95% CI: 1.28-7.14), and early-stage CKD (RR 4.81, 95% CI: 2.49-9.28). Our findings suggest that CKD is an independent prognostic factor for mortality of patients with SJS/TEN besides those from the SCORTEN.

Efficacy of conservative treatment for spastic cerebral palsy children with equinus gait: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Comparisons between various conservative managements of spastic equinus deformity in cerebral palsy demonstrated limited evidences, to evaluate the efficacy of conservative treatment among cerebral palsy children with spastic equinus foot regarding gait and ankle motion. METHODS: Studies were identified from PubMed and Scopus up to February 2022. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trial (RCT), conducted in spastic cerebral palsy children with equinus deformity, aged less than 18 years, compared any conservative treatments (Botulinum toxin A; BoNT-A, casting, physical therapy, and orthosis), and evaluated gait improvement (Physician Rating Scale or Video Gait Analysis), Observational Gait Scale, Clinical Gait Assessment Score, ankle dorsiflexion (ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact, and passive ankle dorsiflexion), or Gross Motor Function Measure. Any study with the participants who recently underwent surgery or received BoNT-A or insufficient data was excluded. Two authors were independently selected and extracted data. Risk of bias was assessed using a revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. I2 was performed to evaluate heterogeneity. Risk ratio (RR), the unstandardized mean difference (USMD), and the standardized mean difference were used to estimate treatment effects with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: From 20 included studies (716 children), 15 RCTs were eligible for meta-analysis (35% had low risk of bias). BoNT-A had higher number of gait improvements than placebo (RR 2.64, 95% CI 1.71, 4.07, I2 = 0). Its combination with physical therapy yielded better passive ankle dorsiflexion at knee extension than physical therapy alone (USMD = 4.16 degrees; 95% CI 1.54, 6.78, I2 = 36%). Casting with or without BoNT-A had no different gait improvement and ankle dorsiflexion at knee extension when compared to BoNT-A. Orthosis significantly increased ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact comparing to control (USMD 10.22 degrees, 95 CI% 5.13, 15.31, I2 = 87%). CONCLUSION: BoNT-A and casting contribute to gait improvement and ankle dorsiflexion at knee extension. BoNT-A specifically provided gait improvement over the placebo and additive effect to physical therapy for passive ankle dorsiflexion. Orthosis would be useful for ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact. Trial registration PROSPERO number CRD42019146373.

Comparison of doses and injection sites of botulinum toxin for chronic anal fissure: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: There are no consensus guidelines on the optimal dose or injection site of botulinum toxin (BT) for chronic anal fissure (CAF). The objective of this study was to determine the appropriate dose and injection site of BT for CAF by comparing healing rate and adverse effects (incontinence and recurrence). METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Scopus were searched from inception through May 31, 2021. Randomized controlled trials evaluating healing and adverse effects of BT injection for CAF published in any language were selected. Multiple treatment comparisons and ranking were performed using a two-stage network meta-analysis, and results were graded by Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis tool. RESULTS: Twenty-seven trials involving 1880 patients were included. The results demonstrated that high-dose-BT had significantly higher short-term healing when injected out of the fissure (OF) site than each side of the fissure (SF) site, with a risk ratio (RR) of 2.12 (1.08, 4.15); low-dose-BT did not show any difference across OF and SF site with RR of 1.20 (0.85, 1.68). High-dose-BT at the OF site showed similar healing to low-dose-BT at the same site (RR of 1.02 (0.79, 1.31)) but with a higher risk of incontinence with RR of 3.54 (0.85, 14.76). In contrast, high-dose-BT at the SF site showed lower healing compared to low-dose-BT at the same site with RR of 0.57 (0.29, 1.14). Both high-dose-BT and low-dose-BT at the OF site had higher recurrence than high-dose-BT or low-dose-BT at the SF site with RR of 2.08 (0.33, 13.11) and 1.89 (0.60, 5.94), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Given moderate level of evidence, low-dose BT is optimal; injection out of the fissure site improves short-term outcomes while injection each side of the fissure site tends to reduce recurrence in the longer term.

Efficacy and safety of urate-lowering agents in asymptomatic hyperuricemia: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic hyperuricemia was found to be associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk but the potential benefits of urate-lowering therapy (ULT) remain controversial. We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) with frequentist model to estimate the efficacy and safety of ULT in asymptomatic hyperuricemia. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus were searched without language restrictions. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) of adults with asymptomatic hyperuricemia were eligible if they compared any pair of ULTs (i.e., allopurinol, febuxostat, probenecid, benzbromarone, sulfinpyrazone, rasburicase, lesinurad, and topiroxostat) and placebo or no ULT, and had outcomes of interest, including composite renal events, major adverse cardiovascular events, serum urate levels, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), systolic blood pressure, and adverse events. RESULTS: NMA with frequentist approach was applied to estimate relative treatment effects, i.e., risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD). A total of 23 RCTs were eligible. NMA identified beneficial effects of ULT on composite renal events and eGFR but not for other outcomes. Allopurinol and febuxostat had significantly lower composite renal events than placebo (RR 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23 to 0.66, and RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.99, respectively). Both treatments also resulted in significantly higher eGFR than placebo (MD 3.69 ml/min/1.73 m2, 95% CI 1.31 to 6.08, and MD 2.89 ml/min/1.73 m2, 95% CI 0.69 to 5.09, respectively). No evidence of inconsistency was identified. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence suggests that allopurinol and febuxostat are the ULTs of choice in reducing composite renal events and improving renal function. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered with PROSPERO: CRD42019145908. The date of the first registration was 12th November 2019.

A Comparative Study of Dermatoscopic Features of Melasma and Hori's Nevus in Asian Patients.

Background: Dermatoscopy is a noninvasive diagnostic tool for pigmented lesions. However, data regarding dermatoscopic features in melasma and Hori's nevus, which are commonly found in Asian populations, are still lacking. In addition, melasma coexisting with Hori's nevus presents a particular diagnostic challenge and they generally require different treatments. Objective: We sought to describe the dermatoscopic features of melasma and Hori's nevus and to establish diagnostic clues for each condition. Methods: Fifty patients with melasma and 46 patients with Hori's nevus were enrolled in the study. Dermatoscopic pictures were taken with Dermlite DL200 HR (3Gen, San Juan Capistrano, Califorinia) and evaluated by two blinded board-certified dermatologists. Results: The dermatoscopic features more prominently seen in melasma compared to Hori's nevus include light brown pigmentation (98% vs. 10.9%, P<0.001), regular pigment network (38% vs. 2.2%, P<0.001), irregular pigment network (98% vs. 63%, P<0.001), arcuate structure (68% vs. 13%, P<0.001), circles (48% vs. 10.9%, P<0.001), sparing of follicles and sweat gland openings (98% vs. 4.3%, P<0.001), and telangiectasias (52% vs. 19.6%, P=0.001). In contrast, the common features of Hori's nevus include blue-brown or grey pigmentation (63% vs. 0%, P=0.001) and speckled homogenous pattern (52.2% vs. 0%, P<0.001). Conclusion: Dermatoscopy is a useful diagnostic tool for distinguishing between melasma and Hori's nevus. In patients with coexistence of both conditions, dermatoscopy can be used to confirm the diagnosis and aid the proper treatment.

Phototherapy as a treatment of early-stage mycosis fungoides and predictive factors for disease recurrence: A 17-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Mycosis fungoides is the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Narrowband ultraviolet B and psoralen and ultraviolet A are effective treatment options, but studies of their treatment efficacy and disease relapse remain limited. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed (1) to determine the efficacy of narrowband ultraviolet B and psoralen and ultraviolet A as a treatment for early-stage mycosis fungoides and explore the predictive factors for complete remission and (2) to determine the relapse rate and analyze their predictive factors, including the utility of maintenance therapy. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study consisting of 61 patients with early-stage mycosis fungoides (IA - IB) treated with narrowband ultraviolet B or psoralen and ultraviolet A as the first-line therapy from January 2002 to December 2018 at the Division of Dermatology, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival curve were performed for the main outcomes. RESULTS: A complete remission was achieved by 57 (93.5%) patients. The median time to remission was 7.80 ± 0.27 months. Types of phototherapy (narrowband ultraviolet B or psoralen and ultraviolet A), age and gender did not associate with time to remission, while the presence of poikiloderma and higher disease stage led to a longer time to remission. The cumulative incidence of relapse was 50.8%. The median time to relapse was 24.78 ± 5.48 months. In patients receiving phototherapy during the maintenance period, a treatment duration longer than six months was associated with a significantly longer relapse-free interval. CONCLUSION: Narrow-band-ultraviolet B and psoralen and ultraviolet A are effective treatment options for early-stage mycosis fungoides. Maintenance treatment by phototherapy for at least six months seems to prolong remission.

Prevention of venous thromboembolism in gynecological cancer patients undergoing major abdominopelvic surgery: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Although thromboprophylaxis is recommended to reduce death and disability from venous thromboembolism (VTE), it remains underused due to a perceived risk of bleeding, especially in major abdominopelvic surgical patients. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature review to identify all eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs), searching MEDLINE and Scopus databases through November 25, 2020. RCTs published in any language were eligible if they studied in gynecological cancer patients undergoing major abdominopelvic surgery and assessed efficacy of mechanical and pharmacological interventions. Studies with insufficient data for pooling or those comparing different doses/schedules of interventions were excluded. Outcomes of interest were composite VTE (ie, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) and major bleeding. Relevant data were extracted for direct and network meta-analyses. Risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated and the best intervention probability calculated for each outcome. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019145508). RESULTS: We identified 1990 studies; 20 RCTs (4970 patients) were eligible. The overall risk of bias was of some concern. In direct meta-analyses, antithrombins were superior to unfractionated heparin in preventing composite VTE (RR 0.69; 95% CI 0.48-0.99), with no difference detected in the rate of major bleeding for any pairwise comparison. In network meta-analyses, graduated compression stockings plus low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) was top-ranked for prevention of composite VTE, whereas sequential compression devices (SCD) ranked second, after no treatment, for major bleeding. In a clustered ranking plot, SCD plus LMWH provided optimal balance between efficacy and safety. CONCLUSIONS: SCD plus LMWH might be safe and effective in VTE prevention following gynecological cancer surgery. However, the patient's bleeding risk should be considered to balance the risk and benefit of treatment.

Anti-BP180 and anti-BP230 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for diagnosis and disease activity tracking of bullous pemphigoid: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Autoantibodies against BP180 and BP230 play major roles in bullous pemphigoid (BP). We are the first to describe the values of serum anti-BP180 IgG and anti-BP230 IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for diagnosis and disease monitoring of BP among Thai patients. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of anti-BP180 IgG and anti-BP230 IgG in BP, to correlate disease activity with autoantibody levels through follow-ups, and to relate BP comorbidities with disease activity and autoantibody levels. METHODS: Consecutive patients suspected of having BP were included. Skin biopsy, direct immunofluorescence, and serum anti-BP180 IgG and anti-BP230 IgG tests were performed. BP disease area index (BPDAI) was evaluated at diagnosis and throughout follow-ups. RESULTS: Of 131 patients, 68 were diagnosed with BP, and 63 were included as controls. Sensitivity and specificity of serum anti-BP180 IgG were 69.1% and 90.5%, respectively, while those of serum anti-BP230 IgG were 55.9% and 85.5%, respectively. Using anti-BP180 and anti-BP230 IgG antibodies resulted in a 7% increase in sensitivity compared with using anti-BP180 IgG antibody alone. Significant correlation with BPDAI was found for both autoantibodies at diagnosis but only for anti-BP180 IgG at follow-ups (p = 0.013). BP patients with positivity to anti-BP180 or anti-BP230 IgG had significantly higher BPDAI than did those without (p = 0.005). BP was associated with neurological diseases (p = 0.025), while patients with diabetes had higher disease activity (p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: While both serum autoantibodies are useful for diagnosing BP in patients with suspicious clinical features, only anti-BP180 IgG allowed prediction of disease activity over time.

A study of efficacy and safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound for the treatment of melasma in Asians: A single-blinded, randomized, split-face, pilot study.

BACKGROUND: A recent report suggested potential of high-intensity focused ultrasound in improving UVB-induced hyperpigmentation in patients with Fitzpatrick skin type IV, but reports regarding its efficacy in other hyperpigmented conditions including melasma are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To investigate efficacy and safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound for the treatment of melasma in Asians. METHODS: Each side of the face of 25 melasma patients was randomized to receive 3-monthly sessions of high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment or serve as control. Lightness index, Melasma Area and Severity Index of malar area (MASIm ) by blinded dermatologists, self-evaluated improvement and satisfaction scales by patients, and side effects were assessed every 4 weeks for 20 weeks. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients with Fitzpatrick skin type III and IV completed the study. There was a greater reduction of relative lightness index and MASIm after treatment in high-intensity focused ultrasound-treated side. However, there were no statistically significant differences between both sides. More than 50% improvement on treatment side was rated in 11 patients (52.4%). Side effects were minimal. None had worsening of melasma. CONCLUSIONS: High-intensity focused ultrasound may be an adjuvant for treatment of melasma. Further studies with larger sample size and proper parameter settings are recommended to determine its efficacy.

Treatment efficacy for adult persistent immune thrombocytopenia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Persistent immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients require second-line treatments, for which information on clinical outcomes are lacking. A systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) were conducted. Only randomised controlled trials (RCT) of second-line drugs in adult persistent ITP patients with platelet response, platelet count, any bleeding or serious adverse events (SAE) outcome were eligible. Twelve RCTs (n = 1313) were included in NMA. For platelet response outcome, eltrombopag and romiplostin were the best relative to placebo; the former had a non-significant advantage [risk ratio (RR) = 1·10 (95% confidence interval: 0·46, 2·67)]. Both treatments were superior to rituximab and recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO)+rituximab, with corresponding RRs of 4·56 (1·89, 10·96) and 4·18 (1·21, 14·49) for eltrombopag; 4·13 (1·56, 10·94) and 3·79 (1·02, 14·09) for romiplostim. For platelet count, romiplostim ranked highest, followed by eltrombopag, rhTPO+rituximab, and rituximab. For bleeding, rituximab had lowest risk, followed by eltrombopag and romiplostim. For SAEs, rhTPO+rituximab had highest risk, followed by rituximab, eltrombopag and romiplostim. From clustered ranking, romiplostim had the best balance between short-term efficacy and SAEs, followed by eltrombopag. In conclusion, romiplostim and eltrombopag may yield high efficacy and safety. Rituximab may not be beneficial due to lower efficacy and higher complications compared with the thrombopoietin receptor agonists. RCTs with long-term clinical outcomes are required.

A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study of Oral Tranexamic Acid for the Prevention of Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation After Q-Switched 532-nm Nd:YAG Laser for Solar Lentigines.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Q-switched (QS) 532-nm Nd:YAG laser is one of the treatment options for solar lentigines (SLs). However, the high incidence of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is concerning, especially in dark-complexioned skin. Tranexamic acid (TA) can decrease melanogenesis and has been used to treat melasma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral TA for PIH prevention and clearance in patients with SL treated with QS 532-nm Nd:YAG laser. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with SL treated with QS 532-nm Nd:YAG laser were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial. They were randomly assigned to be receive oral TA 1,500 mg daily or placebo for 6 weeks. Results were evaluated by blinded investigators using digital photographs, dermatoscopy, colorimetry, physician grading scores, and patient satisfaction scores at baseline, 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 12th weeks. RESULTS: The incidence of PIH, relative melanin value, lightness index, and clinical improvement scores were not significantly different between the two groups. However, the TA group had a significantly lower incidence of dermatoscopic finding of pigmented granules, which correspond to PIH at 6th and 12th weeks (P = 0.038 and 0.013, respectively). Homogenous light brown pigmentation under dermatoscopy was significantly associated with higher clinical improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Oral TA therapy starting at the first day postlaser treatment is not effective for PIH prevention after QS 532-nm Nd:YAG laser in SL. However, PIH clearance, as assessed dermatoscopically, is significantly improved by oral TA at 6th and 12th week. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Efficacy and safety of 308-nm excimer lamp in the treatment of scalp psoriasis: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Scalp psoriasis is a major therapeutic challenge due to the hindrance caused by hair. Treatment with the 308-nm excimer lamp is purported to provide many benefits over conventional phototherapy. This retrospective study evaluates the efficacy, safety, and effective dosage of 308-nm excimer light in the treatment of scalp psoriasis. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with scalp psoriasis who received treatment with 308-nm excimer light. Clinical and epidemiological data as well as details regarding treatment were statistically analyzed to determine the treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty patients with scalp psoriasis were included in the study. Their mean age was 47.45 ± 17.93 years. Eleven patients responded to treatment at the end of 10 sessions. The median baseline Psoriatic Scalp Severity Index (PSSI) was 12 (range, 3-32). At the end of the protocol, the median PSSI was 4.5 (range, 0-24), indicating a statistically significant reduction (P < 0.001). Common adverse effects included erythema, irritation, and desquamation. CONCLUSION: The 308-nm excimer light appears to be an effective and safe modality that requires short treatment time. The modality could be considered as an alternative or adjuvant treatment for scalp psoriasis.

The association between serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen and recurrence and survival of patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to pool association effects of serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) on recurrence and mortality in mainly squamous cell cervical cancer patients. METHODS: MEDLINE and Scopus databases were searched up to June 29, 2016. Studies assessing effects of SCC-Ag on recurrence and death in cervical cancer patients were included. Data extraction was independently performed by two reviewers. A meta-analysis was applied for pooling the effects (i.e., risk ratio (RR), hazard ratio (HR), and unstandardized mean difference (USMD)) of SCC-Ag measured before and after treatment on recurrence and death. RESULTS: A total of 61 studies were included. For pretreatment SCC-Ag and recurrence, the pooled RR, HR, and USMD for high versus low serum SCC-Ag were 2.44(95% CI: 1.91, 3.13), 2.23(95% CI: 2.03, 2.45), -7.7(95% CI: -31.7, 16.4), respectively. The corresponding effects for the posttreatment period were 3.91(95% CI: 2.96, 5.16), 3.14(95% CI: 1.29, 7.65), and 3.2(95% CI: -10.6, 17.0), respectively. In addition, patients with high level of pretreatment serum SCC-Ag were also at a higher risk for death than patients with low serum SCC-Ag with a pooled RR of 3.66(95% CI: 2.24, 5.98), pooled HR of 2.50(95% CI: 1.85, 3.37), and pooled USMD of 7.10(95% CI: 4.26, 9.94). The posttreatment serum SCC-Ag effects also reflected a similar trend. CONCLUSIONS: The serum SCC-Ag was consistently associated with recurrence and mortality of newly diagnosed cervical cancer. This marker may be useful in monitoring disease progression in cervical cancer patients. Prospero registration number is: CRD42016044024.

Melasma in men.

Melasma is an acquired hypermelanosis that results in localized hyperpigmentation, commonly found on the face. This condition is much more common in women than men. There are some features of melasma in men that seem to differ from those seen in women. However, there is a paucity of data on this topic. The aim of this article is to review the etiology, clinical presentation, and treatment of melasma in men. It is important for dermatologists to understand some unique aspects of melasma in this group to provide appropriate care for patients who suffer from this frustrating condition.