Patient Satisfaction and Clinical Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Pattern Hair Loss in Male and Female Patients.

Introduction Hair loss is a widespread condition in both genders. Over the past decade, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become a common treatment for hair loss. Our goal was to analyze patient satisfaction and the clinical effects of PRP on male and female pattern hair loss. Methods Over a period of 12 months, we treated a total of 56 patients for androgenetic alopecia with PRP. All of these patients were included in this study; 15 cc of whole blood was spun in an ACP double syringe (Arthrex Inc., Naples, Forida) for five minutes. The yielded 5 to 6 cc of PRP were then injected into the scalp. Forty-nine patients were treated with a series of three injections at monthly intervals, three patients with a series of four injections, two patients with a series of five injections, one patient was treated with a series of seven injections, and one patient with a series of eight injections. Follow-ups were conducted one month after the last treatment. A self-drawn questionnaire was used to assess the satisfaction and clinical results from the patient's and the clinician's perspectives. Results The average age was 41 years (20-68 years). Fifty-seven percent of all patients were male and 43% female. In total, the patients were satisfied with the treatment results. The average score was 7.29 on a scale from 0 to 10. The clinician's rating was similar (6.46). Moreover, with an average score of 8 on a scale from 0 to 10, it is very likely that the patients will recommend PRP treatments to friends. The probability of occurrence of clinical effects among the entire study population was reported as follows: improvement in hair density (patient's rating: 64%; clinician's rating: 46%), thickness (38%; 45%), quality (46%; 54%), sheen/lustre (27%; 21%), new hair growth (57%; 68%), less hair loss (48%; 20%), other positive effects (5%, 2%), no effects (4%; 4%), negative effects (0%; 0%). Conclusion Our study revealed encouraging results for the treatment of male and female pattern hair loss with PRP. The autologous treatment was rated with high satisfaction scores and can be considered a safe and effective treatment modality.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for treatment of a late presenting ischaemic complication from hyaluronic acid cosmetic filler injection.

Vascular compromise and resulting ischaemic injury are known rare complications of cosmetic filler injections. Most hyaluronic acid vascular compromises present early and can be treated effectively by hyaluronidase. Here we present a case of ischaemic wound and mucosal necrosis after cosmetic facial hyaluronic acid injection that appeared within hours of injection but was not diagnosed and treated for 5 days. At day 5, the patient was treated with hyaluronidase injection immediately followed by 14 sessions of daily hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Despite the delayed treatment, the patient had essentially complete recovery and the hyperbaric therapy was overall well-tolerated. Our case report suggests that hyaluronidase injection with concurrent daily HBOT sessions may be effective to allow recovery from late-presenting filler ischaemic complication. Furthermore, given the safety profile of HBOT, we suggest a more deliberate approach to this modality as a therapeutic adjunct by cosmetic practitioners when similar complications arise.

Supportive care needs of Canadian melanoma patients and survivors.

The purpose of this study was to determine the supportive care needs of melanoma patients and survivors in Canada. Thirty-one melanoma patients and survivors completed the Supportive Needs Questionnaire--Melanoma Supplementary Module in addition to questions pertaining to information delivery and screening behaviour. Results demonstrated that the majority of patients in the study are having their needs met (61.1% of total participant responses). Unfortunately, a substantial proportion of individuals have unmet needs. Of the examined needs, educational and increased informational resource needs were among the greatest reported, particularly among individuals with less education (high school diploma or less). Although overall it appears the majority of needs are being met, more can be done to improve the care of melanoma patients in Canada.

Exercise as stigma management for individuals with onset-controllable and onset-uncontrollable spinal cord injury.

UNLABELLED: Studies have suggested that individuals with physical disabilities are often stigmatized and are perceived to possess less favorable physical and psychological characteristics than individuals without disability. PURPOSE: To investigate whether able-bodied adults' perceptions of people with different causes of spinal cord injury (SCI) are influenced by physical activity status information. METHOD AND PARTICIPANTS: Each participant (N = 198) read all five vignettes describing individuals with SCI who had varying levels of physical activity participation and cause of injury information (e.g., onset-uncontrollable [hit by impaired driver] and onset-controllable [caused by impaired driving]). After reading each vignette, participants completed a 12-item Warmth and Competence Questionnaire to evaluate each target. One-way repeated measures multivariate analyses of variance were conducted to examine the within-subjects differences. RESULTS: Physically active individuals with onset-uncontrollable SCI were rated most favorably on warmth and competence. Physically active individuals with onset-controllable SCI also were rated more favorably on warmth and competence than physically inactive targets with onset-controllable SCI. CONCLUSION: A physically active lifestyle may be beneficial in managing the stigma experienced by individuals with both onset-controllable and onset-uncontrollable SCI.

Increased participation in activities of daily living is associated with lower cholesterol levels in people with spinal cord injury.

UNLABELLED: Hetz SP, Latimer AE, Martin Ginis KA, Buchholz AC, and the SHAPE-SCI Research Group. Increased participation in activities of daily living is associated with lower cholesterol levels in people with spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationships between activities of daily living (ADLs) participation and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors in people with spinal cord injury. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Community, university, hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N=75) from the Study of Health and Activity in People With Spinal Cord Injury study (61 men, 14 women). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physical Activity Recall Assessment for People With Spinal Cord Injury and CHD risk factor assessment including waist circumference, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides. RESULTS: Using generalized linear models, and controlling for leisure time physical activity and covariates, increased Mobility ADLs (transferring and wheeling) were associated with lower plasma total cholesterol and LDL. No other significant relationships emerged. CONCLUSIONS: Mobility ADLs were associated with lower total cholesterol and LDL. However, neither Total ADLs nor Domestic ADLs were associated with CHD risk. Further investigation is needed to determine causality between Mobility ADLs and CHD risk.