Reasons for inpatient dermatological consultation requested by other specialities: a five-year data analysis of 1,052 patients from a Portuguese tertiary teaching hospital

Background: The involvement of a dermatologist in inpatient care can result in accurate diagnosis and prescription of appropriate treatment more promptly. Objectives: We aimed to analyse the main reasons for dermatological inpatient consultation in a tertiary centre. Materials & Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed based on clinical registries that included inpatients observed in emergency dermatology consultation between January 1st 2016 to December 31st 2020 at the Hospital de Santa Maria, a tertiary teaching hospital in Lisbon, Portugal. Results: In our dermatology emergency department, we performed 1,052 inpatient consultations during this five-year period. The most frequent diagnostic groups were infections and parasitic diseases (31.1%), inflammatory skin disorders (18.1%) and reactive erythemas (17.7%). Requests were most commonly (85.1%) made by medical specialities. Conclusion: Inpatient dermatological consultations grant access to expert management of drug-induced dermatoses, flares of chronic skin diseases, skin manifestations of systemic diseases and cutaneous infections. Prompt dermatological evaluation is essential for early diagnosis, thus enabling a better prognosis.

[Clinical and Laboratory Factors Associated with Prolonged Hospital Stay among Patients with Cellulitis/Erysipelas]. / Fatores Clínico-Laboratoriais Associados ao Internamento Prolongado em Doentes com Celulite/Erisipela.

INTRODUCTION: Cellulitis and erysipelas represent the most frequent cause of hospitalization in the dermatology department of Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon, Portugal. The aim of this study was to investigate whether patient demographics, comorbidities, previous episodes of cellulitis/erysipelas, the presence of complications, laboratory markers at admission, microbial isolation or previous use of antibiotics, are associated with prolonged stays. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis, including patients admitted with cellulitis/erysipelas in the inpatient dermatology department of Santa Maria Hospital between July 1st 2012 and June 30th 2017. RESULTS: There were 372 admissions, corresponding to 348 patients. The median length of stay was 11 days. Increased age (p = 0.002, OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01 - 1.04), previous episode of cellulitis/erysipelas requiring hospitalization (p = 0.005, OR 4.81, 95% CI 1.63 - 14.23), the presence of cellulitis/erysipelas-associated complications (p = 0.001, OR 3.28, 95% CI 1.63 - 6.59), leukocytosis (p = 0.049, OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.00 - 3.30), high levels of C-reactive protein (p = 0.035, OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00 - 1.06) and a positive culture result (p = 0.002, OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.41 - 4.79) were associated with prolonged hospitalization. DISCUSSION: Prolonged hospitalization for cellulitis/erysipelas is associated with higher costs, additional clinical investigation, invasive treatments, prolonged courses of antibiotic therapy, risk of nosocomial infections, and delayed return to activities of daily living. Thus, the investigation of clinical-laboratory factors associated with prolonged hospitalization for cellulitis / erysipelas is essential and may be useful for the construction of a severity score. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of the characteristics that are associated with prolonged stay among patients with cellulitis/erysipelas may be relevant to improve health care, by reducing the length of hospital stay and associated risks and costs.

Introdução: A celulite e a erisipela constituem a causa mais frequente de internamento no Serviço de Dermatologia do Hospital Santa Maria. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar se as características demográficas, as comorbilidades, a existência de episódios prévios de celulite/erisipela, a presença de complicações associadas, os parâmetros laboratoriais na admissão, o isolamento de microrganismo em cultura ou o uso prévio de antibióticos estão associados a internamentos prolongados.Material e Métodos: Estudo retrospetivo, incluindo os doentes internados no Serviço de Dermatologia do Hospital Santa Maria com o diagnóstico de celulite/erisipela, entre 1 de julho de 2012 e 30 de junho de 2017.Resultados: Existiram 372 internamentos, correspondendo a 348 doentes. A mediana do tempo de internamento foi de 11 dias. A idade (p = 0,002, OR 1,03, 95% IC 1,01 ­ 1,04), a existência de internamento prévio por celulite/erisipela (p = 0,005, OR 4,81, 95% IC 1,63 ­ 14,23), a presença de complicações associadas à celulite/erisipela (p = 0,001, OR 3,28, 95% IC 1,63 ­ 6,59), a leucocitose (p = 0,049, OR 1,81, 95% IC 1,00 ­ 3,30), valores elevados de proteína C reativa (p = 0,035, OR 1,03, 95% IC 1,00 - 1,06) e o isolamento de microrganismo em cultura (p = 0,002, OR 2,59, 95% IC 1,41 ­ 4,79) estiveram associados a internamentos prolongados.Discussão: A par dos maiores custos associados, o internamento prolongado por celulite/erisipela está frequentemente associado à necessidade de investigação clínica adicional, a tratamentos invasivos, a cursos prolongados de antibioterapia, ao risco de infeções nosocomiais e ao atraso no retorno às atividades da vida diária. Assim, o estudo dos fatores clínico-laboratoriais associados ao internamento prolongado por celulite/erisipela é fundamental e poderá ser útil para a construção de um score de gravidade.Conclusão: O conhecimento de características clínicas e laboratoriais associadas ao internamento prolongado poderá ser relevante para melhorar os cuidados de saúde, através da redução dos tempos de internamento e dos seus riscos e custos associados.

Cutaneous Manifestations of Diabetes Mellitus and Prediabetes.

Diabetes is a serious, chronic disease with a rising prevalence worldwide. Its complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality and contribute substantially to health care costs. In this article the authors review the most common and sensitive skin manifestations that can be present on patients with diabetes and prediabetes. The prompt recognition of these frequently underestimated entities is extremely important as it may trigger not only an adequate metabolic evaluation but also a timely referral and appropriate treatment, minimizing the secondary effects of long-term diabetes and improving the prognosis of diabetic patients.

A diabetes mellitus é uma doença crónica, com uma prevalência crescente a nível mundial. As complicações da diabetes são uma causa major de morbilidade e mortalidade, condicionando custos importantes na área da saúde. Neste artigo é efetuada uma revisão das manifestações cutâneas mais frequentes presentes em doentes com diabetes e pré-diabetes. O reconhecimento atempado destas entidades é fulcral, levando não só a uma avaliação atempada do perfil metabólico como a uma referenciação e tratamento precoces. Desta forma, é possível minimizar os efeitos secundários da diabetes a longo prazo, melhorando significativamente o prognóstico dos doentes.

Omalizumab induced Takotsubo syndrome: case report.

BACKGROUND: Omalizumab is a humanized monoclonal anti-immunoglobulin E antibody, approved for the treatment of spontaneous chronic urticaria, with high efficacy and an excellent safety profile. Although its adverse effects are rare, allergic reactions and cardiovascular events were previously described. CASE SUMMARY: The authors describe the case of a 75-year-old woman, followed at the outpatient dermatology clinic due to spontaneous chronic urticaria, treated with omalizumab 300 mg every 4 weeks. After the 11th administration of omalizumab, the patient developed an episode of thoracalgia associated with electro- and echocardiographic abnormalities. Coronary angiogram excluded coronary artery disease, and left ventriculography demonstrated mid-apical akinesia and basal hyperkinesia, consistent with the Takotsubo syndrome (TS). DISCUSSION: Takotsubo syndrome was already reported in association with other monoclonal antibodies. However, to our knowledge, this is the first case of TS following the administration of omalizumab.

Kindler syndrome in a patient with colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis: coincidence or association?

Kindler syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive genodermatosis, caused by mutations in the FERMT1 gene. It is thought to be primarily a skin disease, but other organs may also be involved. We report a case of a novel mutation of FERMT1 gene in a patient with a probable new phenotype of Kindler syndrome, including colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. A 42-year-old man, born to first cousin parents, was referred to our outpatient dermatology clinic with an unknown dermatosis since birth. He presented with neonatal blistering and developed photosensitivity and changes in skin pigmentation during childhood. Since the age of 20, he has had regular follow-up in the gastroenterology clinic, owing to esophageal stenosis, ulcerative colitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Clinical examination revealed jaundice, poikiloderma, diffuse cigarette paper-like atrophy on dorsal surfaces of the hands, and palmoplantar hyperkeratosis. Skin biopsy showed epidermal atrophy covered by orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis. DNA molecular analysis revealed FERMT1 homozygous mutation c.1179G>A, p.W393X, which has not been reported before. The intestinal phenotype of Kindler syndrome has already been defined previously. However, to the best of our knowledge, no other case of primary sclerosing cholangitis in a patient with Kindler syndrome has been reported.

Biomarkers and staging of bipolar disorder: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: A growing body of evidence suggests that bipolar disorder (BD) is a progressive disease according to clinical, biochemical and neuroimaging findings. This study reviewed the literature on the relationship between specific biomarkers and BD stages. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE and PubMed was conducted to identify studies in English and Portuguese using the keywords biomarker, neurotrophic factors, inflammation, oxidative stress, neuroprogression and staging models cross-referenced with bipolar disorder. RESULTS: Morphometric studies of patients with BD found neuroanatomic abnormalities, such as ventricular enlargement, grey matter loss in the hippocampus and cerebellum, volume decreases in the prefrontal cortex and variations in the size of the amygdala. Other studies demonstrated that serum concentrations of neurotrophic factors, inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress may be used as BD biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of neurobiological changes associated with BD progression and activity may confirm the existence of BD biomarkers, which may be then included in staging models that will lead to improvements in treatment algorithms and more effective, individually tailored treatment regimens. Biomarkers may also be used to define early interventions to control disease progression.

Biomarkers and staging of bipolar disorder: a systematic review / Dos biomarcadores ao estadiamento do transtorno bipolar: uma revisão sistemática

INTRODUCTION: A growing body of evidence suggests that bipolar disorder (BD) is a progressive disease according to clinical, biochemical and neuroimaging findings. This study reviewed the literature on the relationship between specific biomarkers and BD stages. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE and PubMed was conducted to identify studies in English and Portuguese using the keywords biomarker, neurotrophic factors, inflammation, oxidative stress, neuroprogression and staging models cross-referenced with bipolar disorder. RESULTS: Morphometric studies of patients with BD found neuroanatomic abnormalities, such as ventricular enlargement, grey matter loss in the hippocampus and cerebellum, volume decreases in the prefrontal cortex and variations in the size of the amygdala. Other studies demonstrated that serum concentrations of neurotrophic factors, inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress may be used as BD biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of neurobiological changes associated with BD progression and activity may confirm the existence of BD biomarkers, which may be then included in staging models that will lead to improvements in treatment algorithms and more effective, individually tailored treatment regimens. Biomarkers may also be used to define early interventions to control disease progression. .

INTRODUÇÃO: Níveis crescentes de evidência sugerem que o transtorno bipolar (TB) exibe um caráter progressivo, em nível tanto clínico, quanto bioquímico e neuroimagiológico. Este estudo revisa a literatura existente sobre a relação entre biomarcadores específicos e estágios do TB. MÉTODOS: Uma busca extensa da literatura nas bases de dados MEDLINE e PubMed foi conduzida para identificar estudos publicados em inglês e em português utilizando as palavras-chave biomarker (biomarcador), neurotrophic factors (fatores neurotróficos), inflammation (inflamação), oxidative stress (estresse oxidativo), neuroprogression (neuroprogressão) e staging models (modelos de estadiamento), em referência cruzada com o termo bipolar disorder (transtorno bipolar). RESULTADOS: Estudos morfométricos em doentes bipolares mostraram a existência de alterações neuroanatômicas, tais como o alargamento dos ventrículos, a perda de substância cinzenta no hipocampo e no cerebelo, a diminuição do volume de determinadas áreas do córtex pré-frontal e variações no tamanho da amígdala. Além disso, outros estudos apontam para a potencialidade do uso dos valores séricos dos fatores neurotróficos, de mediadores inflamatórios e de estresse oxidativo como biomarcadores do TB. CONCLUSÕES: O conhecimento das alterações neurobiológicas, associadas à progressão e atividade do TB, é fundamental para a identificação de biomarcadores. A incorporação de biomarcadores nos modelos de estadiamento do TB poderá permitir um aperfeiçoamento dos algoritmos terapêuticos, possibilitando a elaboração de esquemas de tratamento mais personalizados e eficazes, com destaque para a importância da intervenção precoce na atenuação da progressão da doença. .