In Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria, Complete Response to Antihistamine Treatment Is Linked to Low Disease Activity.

INTRODUCTION: The use of predictors of response to a specific treatment in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) can improve disease management, help prevent unnecessary healthcare costs, and save time. In this study, we aimed to identify predictors of complete response to standard-dosed and higher than standard-dosed antihistamine treatments in patients with CSU. METHODS: Medical records of 475 CSU patients, 120 of them <18 years old, from 3 different centers were analyzed. We used 15 machine learning (ML) models as well as traditional statistical methods to predict complete response to standard-dosed and higher than standard-dosed antihistamine treatment based on 17 clinical parameters. RESULTS: CSU disease activity, which was assessed by urticaria activity score (UAS), was the only clinical parameter that predicted complete response to standard-dosed and higher than standard-dosed antihistamine treatment, with ML models and traditional statistics, for all age groups. Based on ROC analyses, optimal cut-off values of disease activity to predict complete response were UAS <3 and UAS <4 for standard-dosed (area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.69; p = 0.001) and higher than standard-dosed (AUC = 0.79; p = 0.001) antihistamine treatments, respectively. Also, ML models identified lower total IgE (<150 IU/mL) as a predictor of complete response to a standard-dosed antihistamine and lower CRP (<3.4 mg/mL) as a predictor of complete response to higher than standard-dose antihistamine treatment. DISCUSSION: In this study, we showed that patients with UAS <3 are highly likely to have complete response to standard-dosed AH and those with a UAS <4 are highly likely to have complete response to higher than standard-dosed AH treatment. Low CSU disease activity is the only universal predictor of complete response to AH treatment with both ML models and traditional statistics for all age groups.

Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis: Prevalence in Intensive Care Units and Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Nurses.

BACKGROUND: Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) is a major concern among hospitals, especially in intensive care units (ICUs). PURPOSE: To describe ICU nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices of IAD and to examine the relationships with IAD prevalence in the ICU setting. METHODS: A descriptive correlational design was used including the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis Questionnaire and 1-month IAD prevalence data. RESULTS: The prevalence of IAD in ICUs was 6.89%. A positive correlation was found between IAD prevalence and nurses' IAD knowledge and attitudes. Nurses working in the ICU for more than 7 years, caring for patients at high risk for or having IAD, and thinking IAD-related nursing practices were sufficient had significantly higher IAD knowledge, attitudes, and practices. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that ICU nurses learned about IAD through clinical experience and have inadequate training on IAD. A standardized evidence-based care protocol for IAD should be developed.

The rapid effect of pulsed dye laser on demodex density of facial skin.

BACKGROUND: Recently, treatment with acaricides, which is aimed at reducing excessive proliferation of demodex mites, has gained popularity due to its providing a significant improvement in the symptoms of diseases, such as rosacea, seborrhoeic dermatitis, and perioral dermatitis. The effect of IPL on demodex mites was reported in skin biopsy specimens in three patients; however, to the best of our knowledge, no study exists to date, which evaluates the effect of pulsed dye laser (PDL) on demodex density (Dd) in larger patient group. We aim here in to observe the Dd before and after PDL therapy with two different skin biopsy techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients diagnosed with rosacea were included in the study who received PDL treatment. Dds which were measured by using both the SSSB (standardized skin surface biopsy) and CTM (cellophane tape method) techniques before and after 3 weeks of PDL therapy were evaluated. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The Dd of patients before PDL treatment was 13.0 (interquartile range (IQR): 5.0-28.0) and after 3 weeks of PDL treatment it was 6.0 (IQR: 3.0-12.0) with SSSB. After PDL treatment, the Dd was significantly lower than pretreatment the Dd (p = 0.002). The present study shows that PDL significantly reduced Dd in facial skin with one session.

Does omalizumab treatment affect serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels in chronic idiopathic urticaria?

INTRODUCTION: It is known that serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) levels are low in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria. AIM: In the study, the effect of the drug on the DHEA-S serum levels and its correlation with the remission and relapse times of the disease was investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria who were referred to our hospital and 20 healthy volunteers were included in the study. A subcutaneous injection of 300 mg omalizumab was administered to the patient group. Drug injections at this dose were completed (6 injections in total, one per month). Relations between serum DHEA-S levels and relapse rates, treatment response and remission duration of the patients and control group were investigated in the groups. RESULTS: Median DHEA-S value before treatment was 116.3 (21.5-448.7) µg/dl; the median DHEA-S value measured after 3 months was 98.4 (10.0-410.0) µg/dl (p = 0.003). The median DHEA-S value before treatment was 123.1 (21.5-299.6) µg/dl when the initial and 3-month DHEA-S levels of the 34 complete remission patients were compared; after 3 months the value was 100.4 (23.1-301.9) µg/dl (p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to investigate the effect of omalizumab treatment on DHEA-S levels in the treatment of chronic urticaria according to our literature review. The DHEA-S levels were found to be significantly lower after omalizumab therapy but not related to remission and relapse times.

Evaluation of platelet parameters and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio during omalizumab treatment in patients with severe chronic spontaneous urticaria

Background/aim: Spontaneous wheals and/or angioedema lasting longer than six weeks are described as chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Omalizumab is used for the treatment of antihistamine-resistant CSU. The neutrophil­lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet­ lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) are considered important indicators of inflammation and platelet activation in chronic diseases. We aimed to determine the NLR, PLR, MPV, and PDW levels in patients with CSU compared with healthy controls. We also aimed to investigate the effects of omalizumab therapy on these parameters in CSU patients. Materials and methods: This hospital-based, retrospective study included 143 patients with CSU and 132 healthy controls with a mean age of 40.0 ± 13.17 and 42.0 ± 16.34, respectively. Patients with equal or higher-than-baseline UAS scores at week 12 of omalizumab treatment were considered nonresponders, others were considered responders. We analyzed the neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelet counts, NLR, PLR, MPV, and PDW before, during, and after omalizumab treatment and compared the results with those of healthy controls. Results: CSU patients presented higher baseline MPV (P = 0.035) and lower baseline PDW values (P < 0.001) than healthy controls. There were statistically significant increases in the MPV (P < 0.001), MPV/platelet count (P = 0.005), and PDW (P = 0.003) and there was a statistically significant decrease in the NLR (P = 0.018) during omalizumab treatment. The percent increase of MPV was low in nonresponders (P = 0.009). Nonresponders had lower PDW values than responders (P = 0.040). Conclusion: The increase in the MPV and PDW may be due to platelet activation during omalizumab treatment. The decrease in the NLR may be regarded as an antiinflammatory effect of omalizumab. The effect of omalizumab on platelet and inflammatory markers may be used to discriminate the responders from nonresponders.

Can Biologic Agents Improve Treatment Success in Obese Patients With Psoriasis Vulgaris: A Retrospective Review of 320 Patients With Psoriasis Vulgaris.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity plays a major role in the development of many inflammatory disorders including psoriasis. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to demonstrate how treatment responses change according to body mass index (BMI) among patients with psoriasis. METHODS: In our study, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75 and PASI 90 responses were assessed at baseline and at months 1 and 3 among patients who received TNF-α inhibitors, ustekinumab, IL-17 blockers, and IL-23 blockers. The same responses were also assessed with methotrexate and acitretin for a comparison group. Analyses were performed retrospectively. RESULTS: The study included 317 patients who received 222 biological and 95 conventional treatments. In the group with BMI ≥30, the proportion of patients who achieved PASI 75 response was 40.0% (N = 26) at month 1 and 55.4% (N = 36) at month 3. The proportion of patients who achieved PASI 90 response was 33.8% (N = 22) at month 1 and 44.6% (N = 29) at month 3 among those receiving biological agents. Improvement was significantly more difficult among obese patients. The proportion of patients who achieved PASI 75 response was 3.6% at month 1 and 25.0% (N = 7) at month 3 among patients receiving conventional systemic treatments. While the presence of joint involvement affected the success of treatment among obese patients with psoriasis, no relationships were found for smoking, the presence of concomitant psychiatric diseases, or the presence of pruritus in psoriasis. CONCLUSIONS: Biological agents were more successful in achieving PASI 75 and PASI 90 responses in both non-obese and obese individuals. Based on our study, among biological agents, IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors may be more successful among obese individuals, but neither of them shows superiority over the other.

Heart rate recovery is impaired in patients with psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between psoriasis and heart rate recovery (HRR) index. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients with a diagnosis of psoriasis and 32 healthy volunteers were included in the study. In all patients, a stress test was performed to calculate the HRR index in a manner which aimed to reach the age-specific maximum heart rate. HRR indices were calculated in all patients and controls. RESULTS: HRR (beats/minute) indices after the 1st (HRR1, 26 ± 10 vs. 33 ± 8, p = 0.002), 2nd (44 ± 11 vs. 50 ± 6, p = 0.002), 3rd (51 ± 7 vs. 63 ± 8, p < 0.001), 4th (54 ± 7 vs. 65 ± 8, p < 0.001) and 5th (57 ± 8 vs. 70 ± 10, p < 0.001) minutes of the recovery period were significantly lower in the psoriasis group compared to healthy controls. In addition, HRR1 was significantly correlated with duration of psoriasis (r = 0.541, p < 0.001) and psoriasis area and severity index score (r = 0.511, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: HRR was lower in patients with psoriasis. Given the prognostic value of this test, patients with psoriasis might be at risk for future cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Affects Male Patients With Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria More Than Female Patients.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically disrupts health care for patients with chronic diseases including chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). As of now, it is unknown if the effects of the pandemic in CSU are different than in other chronic diseases. We also do not know, if different groups of CSU patients, for example female and male patients, are affected differently. Aim: To understand how CSU patients and subgroups are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in their disease activity and control and treatment, using psoriasis as control. Patients and Methods: We analyzed 399 patients (450 visits) with CSU or psoriasis assessed during August 2019, i.e. before the pandemic, or August 2020, i.e. during the pandemic, for changes in disease activity, disease control, and the treatment they used, and how these changes are linked to age, gender, and disease duration. Results: Male but not female patients with CSU had markedly increased disease activity during the pandemic. CSU patients' age or disease duration were not linked to changes. Male and female patients with psoriasis showed similar increases in disease activity and decreases in disease control. The rate of omalizumab treatment, during the pandemic, was unchanged in male patients and increased in female patients with CSU. The efficacy of omalizumab treatment, during the pandemic, was reduced in male patients but not female patients with CSU. Conclusion: Male but not female CSU patients, during the COVID-19 pandemic, show loss of disease control linked to loss of omalizumab efficacy. The reasons for this need to be investigated.

Case Report: Behçet's disease accompanied with vitiligo.

Recently, a few case reports and clinical studies have been published that explore the association of Behçet's Disease (BD) and vitiligo, with conflicting results. Genetic and immunological properties of BD and presence of autoantibodies support autoimmunity, but clinical features suggest autoinflammatory diseases. BD is thought to be a cornerstone between autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. On the other hand, vitiligo has been accepted as an autoimmune disease with associations of other autoimmune disorders and there is a possible role of autoimmunity in pathogenesis of the disease. Significant advances have been made understanding the pathogenesis and genetics of BD. However, it is worth presenting rare clinical variants for improving the clinical understanding of BD. Herein, we are presenting a case with diagnosis of both Behçet's disease and vitiligo in same patient, which is a rare occurrence. Discussion and demonstrating the association of these two diseases may give rise to understanding similar and different aspects of autoimmunity and autoinflammatory pathogenesis of both diseases.

Can we use the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and mean platelet volume values for the diagnosis of anterior uveitis in patients with Behcet's disease?

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to compare the value of hematological parameters, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV), as indicators of anterior uveal segment involvement in patients with Behcet's disease (BD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Hospital-based records of a total of 912 patients with BD from the dermatology clinic and healthy volunteers from the checkup clinic were assessed retrospectively. After applying the exclusion criteria of the study, 71 of the BD patients with anterior uveitis, 69 of the BD patients without ophthalmological pathology and 151 healthy volunteers were included in the study. MPV, PLR, and NLR values of patients and healthy volunteers were compared. RESULTS: All MPV, PLR, and NLR values of patients who had anterior uveitis were significantly higher than those of other patients and healthy volunteers. Statistically, considering area under curves (ratio): NLR was 0.725 (0.653-0.797), P<0.001; PLR was 0.600 (0.523-0.676), P=0.012, and MPV was 0.358 (0.279-0.437), P<0.001. CONCLUSION: MPV, PLR, and NLR are all valuable for assessment of anterior uveal segment involvement in patients with BD. However, the NLR seems to be better than the PLR and MPV for indicating anterior uveitis due to BD.

Case Report: Nicolau syndrome due to etofenamate injection.

Nicolau syndrome, also known as embolia cutis medicomentosa, is a rare complication characterized by tissue necrosis that occurs after injection of drugs. The exact pathogenesis is uncertain, but there are several hypotheses, including direct damage to the end artery and cytotoxic effects of the drug. Severe pain in the immediate postinjection period and purplish discoloration of the skin with reticulate pigmentary pattern is characteristic of this syndrome. Diagnosis is mainly clinical and there is no standard treatment for the disease. Etofenamate is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and a non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor. Cutaneous adverse findings caused by etofenamate are uncommon. Herein, we present a case with diagnosis of Nicolau syndrome due to etofenamate injection, which is a rare occurrence.

Adverse Reaction to Omalizumab in Patients with Chronic Urticaria: Flare Up or Ineffectiveness?

Omalizumab is a recombinant humanized anti-Ig E monoclonal antibody used as the third line treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). We report four patients with severe antihistamine-resistant CSU, who developed angioedema, anaphylaxis and/or flare up of urticaria at different times following omalizumab therapy.