RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Dermographism is a condition characterized by a weal response to a combination of pressure and traction on skin surface, and its diagnosis is based on medical history, clinical criteria and provocation test. The Dermographic Tester® , a pen-sized tool containing a spring-loaded blunt tip, is the most widely used instrument for the provocation test, and it exerts increasing pressures on the skin surface according to an arbitrary units (AU) scale. Analysing the mechanism of function and trying to convert the AUs to SI units (g/mm2 ), we found that this instrument had some defects and limits that would compromise a true and repeatable quantification of the weal response threshold. Consequently, we decided to develop a new instrument, the Digital Dermographic Tester (DDT), which is engineered with an inside force sensor to implement features lacking in the current tools, in the hope of enhancing the precision of the provocation test. AIM: To validate the effectiveness and accuracy of the DDT. METHODS: We tested the DDT on 213 participants purposely sampled to obtain three groups, each with a different pattern of reaction to mechanical stimuli. Based on anamnestic, diagnostic and symptomatic criteria, patients were divided into dermographic urticaria (DU), spontaneous urticaria (SU) and healthy control (HC) groups. The DDT was used to apply 12 levels of pressure to the skin surface, and a frequency distribution of positive reactions was displayed for each group. RESULTS: A force of 36-40 g/mm2 appropriately differentiated physiological from pathological conditions with high sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The DDT was found to be capable of differentiating patients with DU patients from those with SU and from HCs, and was able to precisely identify the weal elicitation threshold.
Assuntos
Testes Cutâneos/instrumentação , Urticária/diagnóstico , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pressão/efeitos adversos , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Pele/patologia , Inquéritos e Questionários , Urticária/etiologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Distal interphalangeal (DIP) arthritis is a frequent form of psoriatic arthritis being often linked to nail psoriasis. Modern society is characterized by overuse of smartphones. Indeed, literature has recently focalized on research into smartphone addiction and health-related problems. OBJECTIVES: As smartphone addiction is able to determine overuse and repeated movements of DIP joints and nails, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of smartphone use on hand joints of young psoriatic patients. METHODS: An observational study involving four different groups such as non-smartphone-addicted (SA) psoriatic patients, SA psoriatic patients, non-SA controls and SA controls was performed. Each subject underwent an ultrasound examination of both hands by three independent and blinded to group assignment radiologists. A specific score was used to evaluate the inflammatory state of the analysed joints. RESULTS: The total ultrasound score was statistically significantly higher in SA controls respect to non-SA controls (3.4 vs. 1.4; P < 0.05) as well as in SA psoriasis patients compared to non-SA psoriatic subjects (15.2 vs. 6.7; P < 0.01). Higher mean of ultrasound score was found for left hand in controls (both SA or not) and for right hand in psoriatic subjects (both SA or not), however without reaching statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Smartphone overuse was found to be linked with higher signs of inflammation of musculoskeletal structures of hands joints in both psoriasis and controls through ultrasound examination. Therefore, smartphone overuse may be a factor which facilitate or speed up the possible development of psoriatic arthritis.
Assuntos
Comportamento Aditivo/complicações , Transtornos Traumáticos Cumulativos/etiologia , Psoríase/complicações , Smartphone , Adulto , Artrite Psoriásica/diagnóstico por imagem , Artrite Psoriásica/etiologia , Transtornos Traumáticos Cumulativos/diagnóstico por imagem , Feminino , Articulação da Mão/diagnóstico por imagem , Humanos , Masculino , Ultrassonografia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Polymorphic light eruption (PLE) is described as a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction (DTHR) toward a de novo light-induced antigen, yet to be identified. In effect, the inflammatory pathways of PLE and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) share common patterns in terms of the mediators involved from the innate and adaptive immune system participating in the DTHR. As we have previously highlighted the role of interleukin (IL)-1 family members in ACD, we hypothesised that the same mediators could have similar functions in PLE. Our research aimed to assess the expression of certain IL-1family members in PLE patients vs. controls, and to compare it with ACD. The study population comprised 17 patients with PLE, 5 affected by ACD and 10 healthy controls in the same age range. Lesional and healthy skin samples were collected respectively from patients and donors. IL-36α, IL-36ß, IL-36γ, IL-36 receptor antagonist (Ra), IL-1ß, IL-33 gene and protein expressions were evaluated through RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Circulating proteins in the PLE patients were analysed by using western blot. The IL-36γ gene expression was significantly increased in PLE lesions compared to that in healthy controls and ACD lesions (***p < 0.001; ##p < 0.01 respectively), whereas the other analyzed ILs were more expressed in ACD. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that IL-36α and IL-36γ protein levels were increased in PLE lesions compared to those of the healthy samples (***p < 0.001). Furthermore the IL-36γ plasma level was increased in PLE patients vs. controls (*p < 0.05). Our findings indicate that the IL-1 family pro-inflammatory members are increased in PLE with distinct differences from those in ACD, in particular with regard to IL-36γ mRNA regulation. Their role as activators of the local, and perhaps systemic, immune response, or as inhibitors of the immune tolerance machinery, needs further investigation.
Assuntos
Dermatite Alérgica de Contato/metabolismo , Interleucina-1/metabolismo , Transtornos de Fotossensibilidade/metabolismo , Dermatopatias Genéticas/metabolismo , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Interleucina-1/genética , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Haptoglobin (Hp) is one of the acute phase proteins, whose main function is to bind free haemoglobin (Hb) and transport it to the liver for degradation and iron recycling. In addition to its role as an Hb scavenger, Hp has been shown to behave as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and angiogenic factor. We previously investigated the role of Hp in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, and found that it displays some structural modifications that might be associated with protein function in the disease. Phototherapy is an efficacious treatment for psoriasis, although the biological mechanisms by which phototherapy improves psoriasis are still unclear. AIM: To investigate the effects of ultraviolet (UV)B on Hp to clarify the role of Hp in psoriasis. METHODS: Expression of the genes encoding Hp, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 was assessed in UVB-irradiated and unirradiated HaCaT cells. The biological significance of Hp modulation of UVB treatment was confirmed by ELISA and Western blotting. The Hp gene and protein expression in the skin of patients with psoriasis was also investigated. RESULTS: In vitro results showed that UVB modulated IL-6 and IL-10 gene expression and Hp gene and protein expression in HaCaT cells. The in vivo data also showed that Hp levels were increased in the skin of patients with psoriasis compared with healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: UVB irradiation was able to modulate Hp production in immortalized keratinocytes. The higher levels of Hp in vivo in both lesional and nonlesional skin suggest that it might have a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Assuntos
Haptoglobinas/efeitos da radiação , Psoríase/radioterapia , Terapia Ultravioleta , Western Blotting , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Células Cultivadas , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Haptoglobinas/fisiologia , Humanos , Imuno-Histoquímica , Interleucina-10/metabolismo , Interleucina-6/metabolismo , Psoríase/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a common chronic multifactorial disease which can result in restrictions to social and recreational activities. Psoriasis subjects are at high risk to develop metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Physical activity, a vital component in prevention and management of these diseases, is reported to be potentially associated in a negative way with psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between psoriasis and physical activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anamnestic and physical examination as well as a specific doctor-administered questionnaire was performed to a group of 416 consecutive sportive subjects and 489 sex and age-matched controls. Moreover, similar investigations were executed on 400 consecutive psoriatic patients without psoriatic arthritis. RESULTS: Psoriasis was significantly more common in controls respect to sportive group (n = 27, 5.4% vs. n = 7, 1.7%, P < 0.01) whereas a positive familial history of psoriasis was observed in similar percentages in both groups (n = 51, 10.2% vs. n = 40, 9.6%). The number of subjects performing sports activities was significantly lower in psoriasis group compared to controls (n = 44, 11% vs. n = 106, 21.3%; P < 0.001). Of these psoriatic patients, 35/44 referred that sporting activities showed a positive influence on the natural course of their disease, whereas the remaining 11 patients did not highlight positive or negative influences on their illness. Interestingly, 23.75% of psoriatic patients (n = 95) related that they had regularly carried out sporting activities before the onset of the dermatosis referring that psoriasis represented a huge obstacle to continue practicing physical activities. CONCLUSION: Our survey showed that regular physical activity may lower the risk of psoriasis and have a beneficial effect on the natural course of the disease, positively influencing not only the severity as well as the incidence of metabolic comorbidities, but also, through possible epigenomic, metabolic, anti-inflammatory and psycho-emotional effects, the onset of the dermatosis. However, larger birth cohort studies are needed to confirm these results.
Assuntos
Psoríase/etiologia , Esportes , Adolescente , Adulto , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: There is increasing awareness of the clinical relevance of psoriasis comorbidities and of the importance of timely and effective screening for such comorbidities in the management of psoriatic patients. Previous works have focused on assessing evidence for prevalence of comorbidities and on the best available evidence for sensitivity in diagnosing suspected comorbidities. No algorithms are available, which have been tested on large numbers of physicians concerning the acceptance of such algorithms both by practicing clinical dermatologists and by their consulting specialists from other fields. OBJECTIVE: To propose a multidimensional assessment algorithm for psoriasis comorbidities which may prove at the same time enough sensitive and practically sustainable in daily clinical practice. METHODS: After an exhaustive literature search, we performed a Delphi procedure involving 50 dedicated dermatological centres to obtain a standardized assessment algorithm, which would meet requirements of sustainability and acceptability both from the point of view of Evidence-Based Medicine as well as from the point of view of practical and clinical feasibility: to meet both requirements, results from the Delphi procedure were elaborated and modified by a restricted panel of experts. RESULTS: The procedure has yielded PSOCUBE, a three-dimensional table comprising 14 clinical examination and history taking items, 32 screening laboratory and instrumental exams and 11 clinimetric scores. CONCLUSION: PSOCUBE, a simple algorithm, may be employed by practising dermatologists to perform standardized assessment procedures on psoriatic patients raising the chances of early recognition of patients at risk for comorbidities, thus fostering more effective prevention; PSOCUBE may therefore contribute to reduce the overall impact of this chronic, widespread disease.
Assuntos
Algoritmos , Gerenciamento Clínico , Medicina Baseada em Evidências/métodos , Psoríase/diagnóstico , Psoríase/terapia , HumanosAssuntos
Fármacos Dermatológicos/efeitos adversos , Toxidermias/diagnóstico , Eczema/diagnóstico , Interleucina-17/antagonistas & inibidores , Psoríase/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto , Anticorpos Monoclonais Humanizados/efeitos adversos , Toxidermias/imunologia , Eczema/induzido quimicamente , Eczema/imunologia , Feminino , Humanos , Interleucina-17/imunologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Psoríase/imunologia , Estudos Retrospectivos , Adulto JovemAssuntos
Imunodeficiência de Variável Comum/complicações , Psoríase/epidemiologia , Adulto , Imunodeficiência de Variável Comum/tratamento farmacológico , Imunodeficiência de Variável Comum/imunologia , Feminino , Humanos , Imunoglobulinas Intravenosas/administração & dosagem , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Psoríase/diagnóstico , Psoríase/imunologiaAssuntos
Produtos Biológicos/uso terapêutico , Psoríase/tratamento farmacológico , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Pé/patologia , Mãos/patologia , Humanos , Perna (Membro)/patologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Psoríase/patologia , Couro Cabeludo/patologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Until relatively recently, psoriasis has been considered to be a mainly T helper (Th)1-driven inflammatory disease; however, several findings have now assessed a major role for Th17 cells in its pathogenesis. Adalimumab is a biological agent that inhibits TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory cytokine with a pivotal role in the mechanisms of the disease. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the in vivo effects of adalimumab therapy on Th17 pathway. METHODS: Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to analyse levels of expression of Th17 polarizing cytokines (IL-23A, TGF-ß, IL-1ß, IL-6), Th17 cytokines (IL-17, IL-22) as well as TNF-α, Th1 polarizing cytokine (IFN-α) and Th17 downstream effector mediators, such as chemokines (IL-8, CCL-20) in skin and peripheral blood mononuclear cells before and after 16 weeks of adalimumab therapy. Similarly, gene expression of Th17 induced mediators by keratinocytes (antimicrobial peptides: HBD-2, S100A7) was investigated at skin level. In addition, cutaneous and plasma IL-17 was examined by immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay respectively. Efficacy of the treatment was assessed by several clinical index scores as well as epidermal thickness reduction. RESULTS: Adalimumab therapy led to improvement in skin disease scores in all patients. Moreover, adalimumab treatment down-modulated Th17 pathway at skin level. Plasma IL-17 levels and IL-17-positive cells in psoriatic lesional skin were decreased by adalimumab treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our data highlight that the immunomodulatory activity of adalimumab is associated with considerable clinical improvements as well as a potent shut down of Th17 response in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.
Assuntos
Anti-Inflamatórios/uso terapêutico , Anticorpos Monoclonais Humanizados/uso terapêutico , Citocinas/metabolismo , Psoríase/tratamento farmacológico , Adalimumab , Adulto , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Humanos , Interleucina-17/sangue , Psoríase/imunologia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa , Células Th17/imunologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Psoriasis can have cumulative physical and psychosocial effects preventing sufferers from achieving their full-life potential. Few studies have addressed the impact of psoriasis on work-related characteristics. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of psoriasis on education prospects and work limitations in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. METHODS: This study was conducted in 29 dermatology centres across Italy. Information was collected by questionnaire during office visits. RESULTS: A total of 787 patients (64% male, aged 50 years) completed the questionnaire. At the time of the survey, mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score and disease duration were 10 and 19 years respectively. Current smokers had higher PASI scores compared to non-smokers (10.8 vs. 9.4, P = 0.02). Plaque psoriasis was the most frequently described (91.2%). Fifty-five percent of patients had limited expectations of career progression. Similarly, in 42% of cases, psoriasis reduced the prospects of improvement in employment status and 35% of patients reported having reduced earning potential. Approximately 60% of patients reported that psoriasis localized to their hands or feet caused work limitations, whilst in about 25%, it caused them to quit their job. Approximately 37% of patients reported having lost between 3-10 work days in the past 3 months due to clinical assessment or treatment. Logistic regression revealed that gender, low standard of education, number of localizations, shame, anger and self-esteem were predictors significantly associated with limitations in work. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate-to-severe psoriasis has a profound negative impact on the employment capacity of patients in Italy. Psoriasis also contributes to days lost from work, affects job opportunity, career prospects and revenue potential.
Assuntos
Psoríase/fisiopatologia , Local de Trabalho , Adulto , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic disease which requires long-term therapy. Therefore, adherence to therapy and patient motivation are key points in controlling the disease. Mobile-phone-based interventions, and in particular text messages (TM), have already been used effectively to motivate patients and improve treatment adherence in many different chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and asthma. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the use of TM in improving treatment adherence and several patient outcomes such as quality of life, disease severity, patient-perceived disease severity and the patient-physician relationship. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Daily TM, providing reminders and educational tools, were sent for 12 weeks to a group of 20 patients with psoriasis. At the beginning and end of the study the following assessments were performed: Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Self-Administered Psoriasis Area Severity Index (SAPASI), body surface area (BSA), Physician Global Assessment (PGA), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), evaluation of patient-physician relationship and adherence to therapy. A matched control group of 20 patients with psoriasis was used for comparison of the same outcomes. RESULTS: Both patient groups had similar scores for PASI, SAPASI, BSA, PGA and DLQI at baseline. However, after 12 weeks the intervention group reported a significantly better improvement of disease severity as well as quality of life, showing lower values of PASI, SAPASI, BSA, PGA and DLQI with respect to the control group (P<0·05). Moreover, adherence to therapy improved in a statistically significant way (P<0·001) whereas it remained stable in the control group. Similarly, TM interventions led to an optimization of patient-physician communication. CONCLUSIONS: TM interventions seem to be a very promising tool for the long-term management of patients with psoriasis, leading to an increased compliance to therapy, positive changes in self-care behaviours and better patient-physician relationship allowing improved clinical outcomes and better control of the disease.
Assuntos
Telefone Celular , Adesão à Medicação/psicologia , Educação de Pacientes como Assunto/métodos , Psoríase/terapia , Telemedicina/métodos , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Atitude Frente a Saúde , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Adesão à Medicação/estatística & dados numéricos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Motivação , Relações Médico-Paciente , Projetos Piloto , Estudos Prospectivos , Psoríase/psicologia , Qualidade de Vida , Telemedicina/instrumentação , Resultado do Tratamento , Adulto JovemAssuntos
Comportamento Aditivo , Articulação da Mão , Smartphone , Jogos de Vídeo , UltrassonografiaRESUMO
Global climate appears to be changing at an unprecedented rate. Climate change can be caused by several factors that include variations in solar radiation received by earth, oceanic processes (such as oceanic circulation), plate tectonics, and volcanic eruptions, as well as human-induced alterations of the natural world. Many human activities, such as the use of fossil fuel and the consequent accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, land consumption, deforestation, industrial processes, as well as some agriculture practices are contributing to global climate change. Indeed, many authors have reported on the current trend towards global warming (average surface temperature has augmented by 0.6 °C over the past 100 years), decreased precipitation, atmospheric humidity changes, and global rise in extreme climatic events. The magnitude and cause of these changes and their impact on human activity have become important matters of debate worldwide, representing climate change as one of the greatest challenges of the modern age. Although many articles have been written based on observations and various predictive models of how climate change could affect social, economic and health systems, only few studies exist about the effects of this change on skin physiology and diseases. However, the skin is the most exposed organ to environment; therefore, cutaneous diseases are inclined to have a high sensitivity to climate. For example, global warming, deforestation and changes in precipitation have been linked to variations in the geographical distribution of vectors of some infectious diseases (leishmaniasis, lyme disease, etc) by changing their spread, whereas warm and humid environment can also encourage the colonization of the skin by bacteria and fungi. The present review focuses on the wide and complex relationship between climate change and dermatology, showing the numerous factors that are contributing to modify the incidence and the clinical pattern of many dermatoses.
Assuntos
Mudança Climática , Dermatopatias/etiologia , Animais , Vetores de Doenças , Humanos , Dermatopatias Infecciosas/etiologia , Neoplasias Cutâneas/etiologia , Microbiologia da ÁguaAssuntos
Ciclo-Oxigenase 2 , Queratinócitos , Linhagem Celular , Niacina , Niacinamida , Raios UltravioletaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The last decades have witnessed an increasing interest for the psychosocial aspects of chronic skin diseases, such as psoriasis. Nonetheless, systematic assessments of the impact of psoriasis on patients' lives are rarely done in daily clinical practice. The existing instruments are mostly meant to be completed by patients alone, and rarely comprise a graphical representation of the results. OBJECTIVE: To develop a questionnaire allowing both a quick assessment of the impact of psoriasis on patients and, at the same time, an intuitive graphic visualization of the outcome of the test. METHODS: A preliminary version of an Italian questionnaire aimed to assess the global impact of psoriasis on patients, meant to be filled in together by the patient and the dermatologist and to produce visual, intuitive results, was developed through focus groups. The instrument was then the object of a Delphi survey addressed to a panel of experts, to assess both the need of possible improvements of the questionnaire (in terms of the formulations of the questions and of the domains to be explored) and the usefulness of the questionnaire. RESULTS: A 10-item questionnaire in Italian, taking into account different aspects of the burden of psoriasis on the patient, was developed. The answers are given on a 10-point visual analogue scale and graphically represented on a disc as a polygon. CONCLUSIONS: A formal validation of the questionnaire and a study to assess potential clinical and psychological benefits of a systematic implementation of the instrument in daily practice are planned.
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Psoríase/psicologia , Técnica Delphi , Grupos Focais , Humanos , Qualidade de Vida , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Vitamin K1 (phytomenadione or phytonadione) is a fat soluble vitamin used to treat certain coagulation disorders. Intra muscular injection of vitamin K1 can occasionally be complicated by different types of skin reactions: erythematous plaques, urticarial rashes or scleroderma-like lesions at the injection site. We report the case of a 52-year-old man presenting with 2 symmetrical erythematous-infiltrated scleroderma-like plaques localized on the right and left lower trunk. To correct the coagulation deficiency with hypoprothrombinemia developed as a consequence of HCV+ hepatitis, the patient was on vitamin K1 therapy, administered by i.m. injection (10 mg Vitamin K1/1 ml) once a day for 2 weeks. Three months after treatment interruption, ivory indurated morphoeiform plaques developed at the injection sites, assuming the typical appearance of a "cowboy's belt with revolver". The scleroderma-like lesions persisted 2 years after vitamin K1 withdrawal. We report this case to highlight the possibility that vitamin K1 injections can occasionally be complicated by different types of skin reactions such as sclerodermatous plaques. Due to the delay in the onset, to the variable clinical picture, to the persistence after therapy interruption, this kind of lesions can represent a tricky diagnostic challenge and in spite of different treatments can endure for years.