Relationship between sensitive skin and sleep disorders, fatigue, dust, sweating, food, tobacco consumption or female hormonal changes: Results from a worldwide survey of 10 743 individuals.

BACKGROUND: Sensitive skin is related to environmental factors. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the roles of poorly known associated and triggering factors on sensitive skin in a large global population. METHODS: A survey was administrated to a representative sample of the adult population aged 18-75 years in five different countries (Brazil, China, France Russia, and the United States). All participants answered a web-based questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, sensitive skin and environmental factors. RESULTS: Among the 10 743 included individuals (5285 men and 5458 women), 48.2% declared that they had sensitive skin. The group with sensitive skin reported significant increases in fatigue, dust or sweating and to a lesser extent food or tobacco consumption. The members of this group also declared that they experienced more sleep disorders than individuals without sensitive skin. Sensitive skin was very frequent in pregnant women, women with painful menstruations or women using contraceptive pills. CONCLUSIONS: This large cohort study identified new factors, including female hormonal status, fatigue, sleep disorders and food, associated with sensitive skin. These associations suggest that sensitive skin is not restricted to an epidermal disorder but may be included in a larger context. The identified factors are potential upstream drivers of neurogenic inflammation in sensitive skin.

Quality of life improvement in Latin American patients suffering from chronic venous disorder using a combination of Ruscus aculeatus and hesperidin methyl-chalcone and ascorbic acid (quality study).

AIM: The present study assessed the effect of Ruscus aculeatus, hesperidin methyl-chalcone and ascorbic acid (HMC-AA), in the treatment of chronic venous disorders (CVD) in Latin American patients. METHODS: This study is an observational, single arm, multicentric and prospective trial. Patients suffering from CVD and belonging to C0s-C3 Clinical Etiological Anatomical and Physiopathological (CEAP) classes were included. Patient profiles, risk factors, clinical symptomatology and quality of life (QoL) assessed by SF-12 and CIVIQ questionnaires were evaluated at inclusion and after 12-week treatment. RESULTS: The main factors influencing the previous management of patients were age, gender, body mass index (BMI), familial history, physical activity, exposure to heat, heavy loads lifting, profession and clinical characteristics. All clinical symptoms significantly improved with treatment and, as BMI and CEAP classes increased. Ankle circumferences decreased over time, correlating with BMI and CEAP classes. The physical and psychological dimensions of the SF-12 score significantly increased over time and improved within each CEAP class. The CIVIQ score significantly improved over time, correlating with age and CEAP classes. CONCLUSION: A 12-week treatment with Ruscus aculeatus HMC-AA showed a significant decrease in the clinical symptoms and a significant improvement in the QoL of patients with CVD.

Assessment of quality of life in Mexican patients suffering from chronic venous disorder - impact of oral Ruscus aculeatus-hesperidin-methyl-chalcone-ascorbic acid treatment - 'QUALITY Study'.

OBJECTIVES: The present study assessed the effect of Ruscus aculeatus-hesperidin-methyl-chalcone-ascorbic acid (HMC-AA) on the quality of life (QoL) of patients suffering from chronic venous disorders (CVDs). METHODS: An observational, multicentre and prospective study was performed with 917 Mexican patients suffering from CVD. Patients were treated with R. aculeatus-HMC-AA. After 12 weeks of treatment, the physicians then assessed the patients' symptoms and QoL using Short Form (SF-12) and Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CIVIQ) auto-questionnaires. RESULTS: Patients were mainly women (86.7%), overweight or obese (72.7%) or C2 (39.3%)-C3 (27.6%). All symptoms and ankle circumferences significantly improved over time, with increasing clinical, aetiological, anatomical and pathophysiological (CEAP) classes and body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.001). Concerning QoL, all dimensions of the SF-12 score significantly improved over time (P < 0.001). Moreover, the CIVIQ scores significantly improved (P < 0.001) with increasing BMI (P < 0.002) and CEAP classes (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: R. aculeatus-HMC-AA significantly improved the symptoms and QoL of CVD patients.