Burden of inherited ichthyosis: a French national survey.

Moderate to severe ichthyosis is known to have a significant impact on quality of life. A French national survey was performed to describe in more detail how ichthyosis impacts the patients' lives. A questionnaire specifically dedicated to ichthyosis was distributed to patients followed in hospital expert centres or members of the French association of patients. A total of 241 questionnaires were completed and returned (response ratio: 29% for children and 71% for adults). A negative impact of ichthyosis was obvious in terms of domestic life (skin care, housework, clothing, etc.), educational/professional lives (rejections by other children, workplace discrimination, absenteeism, etc) and for leisures/sports activities. The patient's economical resources were also heavily impacted by ichthyosis with important out-of-pocket expenses.

Critical assessment of diabetic xerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus is commonly responsible for skin changes including discrete to mild xerosis. AREAS COVERED: This review focuses on some selected relevant bioinstrumental methods assessing diabetes xerosis. Peer-reviewed articles on objective non-invasive methods were scrutinized. The reviewed methods address i) the xerosis severity grading scale, ii) corneodynamics referring to the desquamation rate, iii) electrometric assessment of skin hydration including skin capacitance mapping and iv) implication of the imperceptible perspiration. The subjective clinical assessment often fails to disclose diabetic xerosis with confidence and precision. By contrast, a multipronged biometrological approach identifies a cluster of diabetic patients who experience alterations in the structural and functional maturation of the stratum corneum. EXPERT OPINION: A multipronged biometrological approach helps identifying the changes in the stratum corneum of diabetic xerosis. There is a continuum between the 'dry skin' feeling, xerosis and ichthyosiform presentations, particularly on the shins and feet of diabetic patients.

Objective assessment of dermatitis following post-operative radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer treated with breast-conserving treatment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate radiation dermatitis objectively in patients with breast cancer who had undergone post-operative radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Skin color (L*, a*, and b* values) and moisture analyses were performed for both breasts (before, after, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year after radiotherapy) to examine irradiated and non-irradiated skin divided into four quadrants in 118 patients. These patients underwent breast conservative surgery followed by 50 Gy/25 fractions (median) of radiotherapy with or without boost irradiation (10 Gy/5 fractions). RESULTS: L*, a*, and moisture values were changed by irradiation and maximized at completion or 1 month after radiotherapy. One year after radiotherapy, the skin color had returned to the range observed prior to radiotherapy. However, moisture did not return to previous values even 1 year after treatment. The lateral upper side (quadrant C) showed greater changes than other quadrants in the L* value (darker) at the end of radiotherapy. The Common Toxicity Criteria version 3 scores were found to correlate well with a* and L* values at the completion and 1 month after radiotherapy. Boost radiotherapy intensified reddish and darker color changes at the completion of radiotherapy, while chemotherapy did not intensify the skin reaction caused by radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Moisture impairment as a result of irradiation lasts longer than color alterations. Objective assessments are useful for analyzing radiation dermatitis.