The association of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with periodontitis: A hospital-based case-control study.

Background Periodontitis can trigger and perpetuate inflammation in several chronic inflammatory diseases. The association of periodontitis with psoriasis has been investigated earlier, but data are incomplete and the influence of confounders has not been fully evaluated. We examined the relationship of dental and periodontal health parameters in patients with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis. Methods This hospital-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis or both, and compared with controls. Dental and periodontal health parameters were assessed based on the WHO oral health assessment method. Multivariate logistic regression was done on variables with significant or near-significant values to find the association between periodontitis and psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis after adjusting for confounders. Results Psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis were independently and significantly associated with periodontal pockets ≥4 mm in depth. Limitations Causality and temporal relationship cannot be established as this was a cross-sectional study. As in all observational studies, the possibility of unmeasured or unknown confounders exists. Psoriatic arthritis was present only in a small subset of patients. Conclusion Patients with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis have significant periodontal inflammation. This needs to be addressed by dental examination and intervention.

For the love of color: Plant colors and the dermatologist.

Humans have been anointing their skin with natural colorants since antiquity. Before the advent of modern cosmetics, tattoos and hair dyes, the spectacular colors in plants served as a palette for humanity's fascination with color. Skin, hair, nails, teeth and clothing have been altered with botanical colorants for centuries. Understanding the relevance of botanical colorants is an important part of cultural competency. Substitution or adulteration of plant colorants with synthetic colorants has played a role in varied dermatoses (eg. black henna, kumkum, and Holi dermatoses). Safety concerns over synthetic colorants have led to a resurgence of natural colorants. However, some plant colorants have produced adverse reactions. Plant colorants have also played an integral role in medicine. Ingested plant colorants are an indispensable part of our diet, playing crucial roles in the maintenance of health and prevention of disease. Excessive intake of some pigments can alter skin color (carotenoderma, lycopenemia, and the golden tan of canthaxanthin). We have relied on the colors of hematoxylin and alizarin red, derived from the logwood tree and madder roots, respectively, to study and diagnose disease in pathology. We briefly review the uses, cultural relevance, and adverse effects of the common botanical colorants on the skin, hair, and mucosa. We also describe their relevance in our diet, and in the diagnosis and description of dermatological diseases.

Turmeric: A condiment, cosmetic and cure.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is an integral part of Asian culture and cuisine. It has been used in traditional medicine since centuries. A myriad of health benefits have been attributed to it. Curcumin, the most biologically active curcuminoid in turmeric, is being investigated in pre-clinical and clinical trials for its role in disease prevention and cure. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, anti-proliferative and antimicrobial effects. We review the chemistry of this plant, its cultural relevance in Indian skin care, and its uses in dermatology.

Metabolic syndrome in androgenic alopecia.

BACKGROUND: Androgenic alopecia has been associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease in various studies. The relationship between androgenic alopecia and metabolic syndrome, a known risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, is still poorly understood. AIM: To study the association between metabolic syndrome and early-onset androgenic alopecia. METHODS: A hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study was done on men in the age group of 18-55 years. Eighty five clinically diagnosed cases with early-onset (<35 years) androgenic alopecia of Norwood grade III or above, and 85 controls without androgenic alopecia were included. Data collected included anthropometric measurements, arterial blood pressure and history of chronic diseases. Fasting blood and lipid profile were determined. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed as per the new International Diabetes Federation criteria. Chi-square and Student's t-test were used for statistical analysis using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.00. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome was seen in 19 (22.4%) patients with androgenic alopecia and 8 (9.4%) controls (P = 0.021). Abdominal obesity, hypertension and lowered high-density lipoprotein were significantly higher in patients with androgenic alopecia versus their respective controls. LIMITATIONS: The limitations of our study include small sample size in subgroups and the lack of evidence of a temporal relationship between metabolic syndrome and androgenic alopecia. CONCLUSION: A higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome is seen in men with early-onset androgenic alopecia. Early screening for metabolic syndrome and its components is beneficial in patients with early-onset androgenic alopecia.