Genetic polymorphisms to identify patients with an optimal response to tildrakizumab in psoriasis patients from real-life clinical practice.

Detecting the association of genetic variants to the response of biological therapy represents an important advance in developing a personalized therapy. The aim of this work was to study the association of polymorphisms with an optimal response to tildrakizumab in patients with psoriasis in a real-life clinical practice. Ninety patients with plaque psoriasis recruited from-Spanish hospitals receiving tildrakizumab for at least 24 weeks were genotyped for 180 polymorphisms. Optimal response to tildrakizumab was evaluated by absolute PASI ≤1 at 6 and 12 months. Polymorphisms corrected for weight and disease duration with an FDR <0.15 were included in a multiple regression model. Sixty three percent of patients achieved an absolute PASI ≤1 at 6 months, while 71% did so after 12 months. Disease duration (>27 years) and weight (>76 kg) were associated with treatment response; after correcting by these factors, no association (FDR >0.15) was found for any polymorphism and response to tildrakizumab at 6 months. The analysis at 12 months identified the genotype GG for rs610604 (TNFAIP3), CT for rs9373839 (ATG5), and delCTGT/delCTGT for rs72167053 (PDE4D) as risk factors to not achieve an optimal response (PASI ≤1), while CT for rs708567 (IL17RC) was protective, independently of weight and disease duration (FDR <0.15). The final multivariable model at 12 months showed an AUC of 0.90 (95% CI 0.82 to -0.98). We identified a set of polymorphisms that could be helpful to identify psoriatic patients with an optimal response to tildrakizumab at 12 months in real-world practice conditions.

Measurement Assessment of Minimal Disease Activity In Psoriasis in Spain: A National Cross-Sectional Study. / Valoración de la medida de Actividad Mínima de Enfermedad en Psoriasis en España: estudio transversal nacional.

INTRODUCTION: In 2017, the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Psoriasis Working Group (PWG) designed the Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) criteria to determine the level of disease activity. We hereby present the results of an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study of the nationwide application of these criteria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a non-randomized sampling, stratified to achieve autonomic and provincial representation of consecutive patients with psoriasis (Ps) vulgaris without active arthritis. A total of 830 patients were included: 493 men (59.5%), with a mean age of 51.4 years (SD, 14.2), from all autonomous regions of Spain (except for Ceuta and Melilla) and 44 (88%) out of the 50 provinces. A questionnaire was obtained with demographic data, DLQI, subjective assessment-on a scale from 0 to 10-of itching, erythema, desquamation, visibility, and the patients' PASI and BSA. RESULTS: More than 50% failed to meet the MDA criteria (491; 59.2%), with significant differences being reported by region, sex, and age. Additionally, significant differences were reported based on the therapy used (P<.001). The use of biological therapies was associated with higher MDA compliance compared to other therapies (59.4% vs 23.3%). No differences were reported among various biological therapies. CONCLUSIONS: The overall rate of MDA compliance is low, with differences being based on geographic location, sex, age, and drug used, yet none of these factors separately justify them.

Effectiveness and safety of brodalumab in the treatment of plaque, scalp and palmoplantar psoriasis: A multicentre retrospective study in a Spanish population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The data in clinical practice regarding the effectiveness and safety of brodalumab in psoriasis are scarce, especially at scalp and palmoplantar locations. The main objective was the percentage of patients achieving absolute PASI ≤3/ ≤1/ =0 for plaque psoriasis and the percentage of patients achieving an IGA 0-1/IGA 0 for the special locations at Week 52 of treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational retrospective multicentre study in 28 Spanish Hospitals that included adult patients with plaque psoriasis treated with brodalumab, from September 2018 until March 2021. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients were included. The mean baseline PASI was 10.97 (±6.28) with a mean basal scalp (n = 58) and palmoplantar (n = 40) IGA of 2.10 (±0.97) and 2.15 (±1.26), respectively. At Week 52, 93.98%/75.90%/68.67% of patients reached an absolute PASI ≤3/ ≤1/ =0 in plaque psoriasis (n = 83), with a percentage of patients achieving scalp (n = 27) and palmoplantar (n = 19) IGA 0-1/IGA 0 of 96.3%/88.9% and 100%/88.9%, respectively. Fifteen per cent of patients reported any adverse events with candidiasis being the most reported (6%), but only 6% of the adverse events required the withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Brodalumab demonstrated high PASI and IGA responses and was well tolerated in clinical practice in plaque, scalp and palmoplantar psoriasis.

Riesgo de aparición de segundas neoplasias cutáneas en una cohorte de pacientes diagnosticados de carcinoma queratinocítico (carcinoma basocelular y carcinoma epidermoide) tratados con cirugía de Mohs. Estudio de cohortes prospectivo nacional / Risk of a Second Skin Cancer in a Cohort of Patients With Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer –Basal Cell Carcinoma or Squamous Cell Carcinoma-Treated With Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A National Prospective Cohort Study

Objetivo: Los pacientes diagnosticados de cáncer queratinocítico (carcinoma basocelular y carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo) o cáncer cutáneo no melanoma (CCNM) tienen un riesgo aumentado de desarrollar una segunda neoplasia cutánea. Nuestro objetivo es describir la frecuencia, tasa de incidencia y factores de riesgo predisponentes para desarrollar una segunda neoplasia cutánea en una cohorte de pacientes tratados mediante cirugía micrográfica de Mohs (CMM). Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo de una cohorte nacional de pacientes incluidos para realización de CMM para tratar CCNM en 22 centros españoles (julio 2013-febrero 2020) REGESMOHS. Las variables analizadas incluyen las características demográficas, la frecuencia de aparición de segundas neoplasias cutáneas, sus tasas de incidencia y factores de riesgo, y se estimaron utilizando un modelo de regresión logístico multivariante de efectos mixtos. Resultados: Fueron intervenidos 4.768 pacientes: 4.397 (92%) carcinomas basocelulares, y 371 (8%) carcinomas epidermoides. El tiempo medio de seguimiento fue de 2,4 años. Se diagnosticó un nuevo tumor durante el seguimiento en 1.201 pacientes (25%); 1.013 (21%) fueron carcinomas basocelulares, 154 (3%) carcinomas epidermoides cutáneos, 20 melanomas (0,4%) La tasa de incidencia fue de 107 (101-113) por 1.000 personas/año para cualquier tumor; 90 (85-96) para el carcinoma basocelular, 14 (12-16) para el carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo y 2 (1-3) para el melanoma. El riesgo de nueva neoplasia fue mayor en varones que en mujeres 738 (61%) vs. 463 (39%). Los factores de riesgo más significativos fueron la historia de múltiples tumores previos al diagnóstico (RR: 4,6; IC 95%: 2,9-7,1); la inmunosupresión (RR: 2,1; IC 95%: 1,4-3,1) y paciente varón (RR: 1,6; IC 95%: 1,4-1,9) (AU)

Objective: Patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC)—ie, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)—have an increased risk of developing a second skin cancer. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency, incidence per 1000 person-years, and predictors of a second skin cancer in a cohort of patients with NMSC treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). Material and methods: Prospective study of a national cohort of patients with NMSC who underwent MMS at 22 Spanish hospitals between July 2013 and February 2020; case data were recorded in the REGESMOHS registry. The study variables included demographic characteristics, frequency and incidence per 1000 person-years of second skin cancers diagnosed during the study period, and risk factors identified using mixed-effects logistic regression. Results: We analyzed data for 4768 patients who underwent MMS; 4397 (92%) had BCC and 371 (8%) had SCC. Mean follow-up was 2.4 years. Overall, 1201 patients (25%) developed a second skin cancer during follow-up; 1013 of the tumors were BCCs (21%), 154 were SCCs (3%), and 20 were melanomas (0.4%). The incidence was 107 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 101-113) for any cancer, 90 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 85-96) for BCC, 14 (95% CI, 12-16) per 1000 person-years for SCC, and 2 (95% CI, 1-3) per 1000 person-years for melanoma. More men than women developed a subsequent skin cancer (738 [61%] vs 463 [39%]). The main risk factors were a history of multiple tumors before diagnosis (relative risk [RR], 4.6; 95% CI, 2.9-7.1), immunosuppression (RR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.4-3.1), and male sex (RR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.4-1.9). Conclusion: Patients have an increased risk of developing a second tumor after MMS treatment of NMSC. Risk factors are a history of multiple tumors at diagnosis, immunosuppression, and male sex (AU)

[Translated article] Risk of a Second Skin Cancer in a Cohort of Patients With Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer – Basal Cell Carcinoma or Squamous Cell Carcinoma – Treated With Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A National Prospective Cohort Study / Riesgo de aparición de segundas neoplasias cutáneas en una cohorte de pacientes diagnosticados de carcinoma queratinocítico (carcinoma basocelular y carcinoma epidermoide) tratados con cirugía de Mohs. Estudio de cohortes prospectivo nacional

Objective: Patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC)—ie, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)—have an increased risk of developing a second skin cancer. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency, incidence per 1000 person-years, and predictors of a second skin cancer in a cohort of patients with NMSC treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). Material and methods: Prospective study of a national cohort of patients with NMSC who underwent MMS at 22 Spanish hospitals between July 2013 and February 2020; case data were recorded in the REGESMOHS registry. The study variables included demographic characteristics, frequency and incidence per 1000 person-years of second skin cancers diagnosed during the study period, and risk factors identified using mixed-effects logistic regression. Results: We analyzed data for 4768 patients who underwent MMS; 4397 (92%) had BCC and 371 (8%) had SCC. Mean follow-up was 2.4 years. Overall, 1201 patients (25%) developed a second skin cancer during follow-up; 1013 of the tumors were BCCs (21%), 154 were SCCs (3%), and 20 were melanomas (0.4%). The incidence was 107 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 101-113) for any cancer, 90 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 85-96) for BCC, 14 (95% CI, 12-16) per 1000 person-years for SCC, and 2 (95% CI, 1-3) per 1000 person-years for melanoma. More men than women developed a subsequent skin cancer (738 [61%] vs 463 [39%]). The main risk factors were a history of multiple tumors before diagnosis (relative risk [RR], 4.6; 95% CI, 2.9-7.1), immunosuppression (RR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.4-3.1), and male sex (RR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.4-1.9). Conclusion: Patients have an increased risk of developing a second tumor after MMS treatment of NMSC. Risk factors are a history of multiple tumors at diagnosis, immunosuppression, and male sex (AU)

Objetivo: Los pacientes diagnosticados de cáncer queratinocítico (carcinoma basocelular y carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo) o cáncer cutáneo no melanoma (CCNM) tienen un riesgo aumentado de desarrollar una segunda neoplasia cutánea. Nuestro objetivo es describir la frecuencia, tasa de incidencia y factores de riesgo predisponentes para desarrollar una segunda neoplasia cutánea en una cohorte de pacientes tratados mediante cirugía micrográfica de Mohs (CMM). Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo de una cohorte nacional de pacientes incluidos para realización de CMM para tratar CCNM en 22 centros españoles (julio 2013-febrero 2020) REGESMOHS. Las variables analizadas incluyen las características demográficas, la frecuencia de aparición de segundas neoplasias cutáneas, sus tasas de incidencia y factores de riesgo, y se estimaron utilizando un modelo de regresión logístico multivariante de efectos mixtos. Resultados: Fueron intervenidos 4.768 pacientes: 4.397 (92%) carcinomas basocelulares, y 371 (8%) carcinomas epidermoides. El tiempo medio de seguimiento fue de 2,4 años. Se diagnosticó un nuevo tumor durante el seguimiento en 1.201 pacientes (25%); 1.013 (21%) fueron carcinomas basocelulares, 154 (3%) carcinomas epidermoides cutáneos, 20 melanomas (0,4%) La tasa de incidencia fue de 107 (101-113) por 1.000 personas/año para cualquier tumor; 90 (85-96) para el carcinoma basocelular, 14 (12-16) para el carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo y 2 (1-3) para el melanoma. El riesgo de nueva neoplasia fue mayor en varones que en mujeres 738 (61%) vs. 463 (39%). Los factores de riesgo más significativos fueron la historia de múltiples tumores previos al diagnóstico (RR: 4,6; IC 95%: 2,9-7,1); la inmunosupresión (RR: 2,1; IC 95%: 1,4-3,1) y paciente varón (RR: 1,6; IC 95%: 1,4-1,9) (AU)

Risk of a Second Skin Cancer in a Cohort of Patients With Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer -Basal Cell Carcinoma or Squamous Cell Carcinoma-Treated With Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A National Prospective Cohort Study. / Riesgo de aparición de segundas neoplasias cutáneas en una cohorte de pacientes diagnosticados de carcinoma queratinocítico (carcinoma basocelular y carcinoma epidermoide) tratados con cirugía de Mohs. Estudio de cohortes prospectivo nacional.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC)-ie, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)-have an increased risk of developing a second skin cancer. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency, incidence per 1000 person-years, and predictors of a second skin cancer in a cohort of patients with NMSC treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study of a national cohort of patients with NMSC who underwent MMS at 22 Spanish hospitals between July 2013 and February 2020; case data were recorded in the REGESMOHS registry. The study variables included demographic characteristics, frequency and incidence per 1000 person-years of second skin cancers diagnosed during the study period, and risk factors identified using mixed-effects logistic regression. RESULTS: We analyzed data for 4768 patients who underwent MMS; 4397 (92%) had BCC and 371 (8%) had SCC. Mean follow-up was 2.4 years. Overall, 1201 patients (25%) developed a second skin cancer during follow-up; 1013 of the tumors were BCCs (21%), 154 were SCCs (3%), and 20 were melanomas (0.4%). The incidence was 107 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 101-113) for any cancer, 90 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 85-96) for BCC, 14 (95% CI, 12-16) per 1000 person-years for SCC, and 2 (95% CI, 1-3) per 1000 person-years for melanoma. More men than women developed a subsequent skin cancer (738 [61%] vs 463 [39%]). The main risk factors were a history of multiple tumors before diagnosis (relative risk [RR], 4.6; 95% CI, 2.9-7.1), immunosuppression (RR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.4-3.1), and male sex (RR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.4-1.9). CONCLUSION: Patients have an increased risk of developing a second tumor after MMS treatment of NMSC. Risk factors are a history of multiple tumors at diagnosis, immunosuppression, and male sex.

Desarrollo y validación preliminar del instrumento HSQoL-24 para evaluar calidad de vida en pacientes con hidradenitis supurativa / Development and Preliminary Validation of the HSQoL-24 Tool to Assess Quality of Life in Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Introducción y objetivos: La hidradenitis supurativa (HS) es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica de la piel que influencia negativamente la calidad de vida. En la actualidad no existen escalas en español que la evalúen. El objetivo del presente estudio fue desarrollar y validar un cuestionario específico para evaluar la calidad de vida en pacientes con HS. Material y métodos: Se desarrolló un estudio multicéntrico en España entre 2016 y 2017 para elaborar un cuestionario. Para ello se consideró tanto el marco conceptual como el conocimiento de la situación del paciente mediante la revisión de la bibliografía, reuniones de profesionales de diferentes áreas y entrevistas con pacientes. El cuestionario resultante se pasó a un grupo de 30 pacientes con 30 ± 10 días de intervalo entre uno y otro. Resultados: El análisis de fiabilidad muestra una buena consistencia interna y reproductibilidad con puntuación alfa de Cronbach de 0,920 (test) y 0,917 (retest) y coeficiente de correlación intraclase con DLQI y Skindex-29 de 0,698 IC 95% (0,456-0,844) y 0,900 IC 95% (0,801-0,951) respectivamente. Se establecieron puntos de corte para su uso y se comprobó que el instrumento es sensible al cambio. Conclusiones: El cuestionario HSQoL-24 es la primera prueba autoadministrada específica para evaluar la calidad de vida en HS en español. Sencillo de usar y puntuar por los profesionales. Este estudio demuestra que el instrumento es fiable, válido y sensible al cambio, pendiente de realizar estudio confirmatorio con una muestra mayor con 100 pacientes con HS

Introduction and objectives: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin with a negative impact on quality of life. Up to now, there are no disease specific instruments in Spanish to assess quality of life in HS. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire to evaluate the quality of life in patients with HS. Material and methods: A multicentre study was carried out in Spain between 2016 and 2017 to develop the questionnaire. Both the conceptual framework and understanding of the patient's situation were considered through a review of the literature, consensus of professionals from different related health areas, and in-depth interviews with patients. The resulting questionnaire was passed to a group of 30 patients with 30±10 days of interval between both assessments. Results: The reliability analysis shows a good internal consistency and reproducibility with Cronbach's alpha score of 0.920 (test) and 0.917 (retest) and intraclass correlation coefficient with DLQI and Skindex-29 of 0.698 IC 95% (0.456-0.844) and 0.900 IC 95% (0.801-0.951) respectively. Cut-off points were established for its use and the instrument was found to be sensitive to change. Conclusions: The HSQoL-24 is the first disease-specific self-administered instrument to assess quality of life in patients with HS in Spanish. It is user friendly, and easy to score. This study shows that the instrument is reliable, valid and sensitive to change, pending confirmatory study with a larger sample of 100 patients with HS

Ultrasound as a diagnostic and management tool in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: a multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that clinical evaluation consistently underestimates the severity of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in HS compared with clinical examination and to assess the subsequent modification of disease management. METHODS: Cross-sectional multicentre study. Severity classification and therapeutic approach according to clinical vs. ultrasound examination were compared. RESULTS: Of 143 HS patients were included. Clinical examination scored 38, 70 and 35 patients as Hurley stage I, II and III, respectively; with ultrasound examination, 21, 80 and 42 patients were staged with Hurley stage I, II and III disease, respectively (P < 0.01). In patients with stage I classification as determined by clinical examination, 44.7% changed to a more severe stage. Clinical examination indicated that 44.1%, 54.5% and 1.4% of patients would maintain, increase or decrease treatment, respectively. For ultrasound examination, these percentages were 31.5%, 67.1% and 1.4% (P < 0.01). Concordance between clinical and ultrasound intra-rater examination was 22.8% (P < 0.01); intra-rater and inter-rater (radiologist) ultrasound agreement was 94.9% and 81.7%, respectively (P < 0.01). LIMITATIONS: The inability to detect lesions that measure ≤0.1 mm or with only epidermal location. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound can modify the clinical staging and therapeutic management in HS by detecting subclinical disease.

Development and Preliminary Validation of the HSQoL-24 Tool to Assess Quality of Life in Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa. / Desarrollo y validación preliminar del instrumento HSQoL-24 para evaluar calidad de vida en pacientes con hidradenitis supurativa.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin with a negative impact on quality of life. Up to now, there are no disease specific instruments in Spanish to assess quality of life in HS. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire to evaluate the quality of life in patients with HS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicentre study was carried out in Spain between 2016 and 2017 to develop the questionnaire. Both the conceptual framework and understanding of the patient's situation were considered through a review of the literature, consensus of professionals from different related health areas, and in-depth interviews with patients. The resulting questionnaire was passed to a group of 30 patients with 30±10 days of interval between both assessments. RESULTS: The reliability analysis shows a good internal consistency and reproducibility with Cronbach's alpha score of 0.920 (test) and 0.917 (retest) and intraclass correlation coefficient with DLQI and Skindex-29 of 0.698 IC 95% (0.456-0.844) and 0.900 IC 95% (0.801-0.951) respectively. Cut-off points were established for its use and the instrument was found to be sensitive to change. CONCLUSIONS: The HSQoL-24 is the first disease-specific self-administered instrument to assess quality of life in patients with HS in Spanish. It is user friendly, and easy to score. This study shows that the instrument is reliable, valid and sensitive to change, pending confirmatory study with a larger sample of 100 patients with HS.

Subclinical enthesopathy of extensor digitorum tendon is highly prevalent and associated with clinical and ultrasound alterations of the adjacent fingernails in patients with psoriatic disease.

BACKGROUND: Nail psoriasis disease is associated with an increased probability of psoriatic arthritis, and its clinical signs may have different correlates with the pathogenesis of adjacent bone destruction and have different prognostic value. Recent publications about psoriasis and nail psoriatic disease describe different ultrasonographic findings but the relationship between these ungueal alterations measured by ultrasonography and the presence of enthesopathy of the extensor digitorum has yet to be discovered. OBJECTIVE: To describe which ultrasonographic characteristics of nail psoriasis are associated with the presence of subclinical enthesopathy in patients with PsO and asymptomatic PsA. METHODS: Patients with psoriasis and asymptomatic psoriatic arthritis were included in the prospective study. Demographic, clinical data and PASI and NAPSI indexes were recorded of all the patients in the assessment visit. The US assessment included Achilles tendon, extensor digitorum tendon and US scan of the nail plate, nail matrix, nail bed and adjacent skin over nail matrix of the five nails of each hand. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were included in the study; 33 of them presented ultrasound evidence of extensor digitorum tendon enthesopathy. Nails of the patients with subclinical enthesopathy had a higher NAPSI and skin thickness than the nails of the patients without subclinical enthesopathy (P = 0.047). Patients with asymptomatic enthesopathy had significantly thicker proximal nail folds (1.44 ± 0.312 vs. 1.23 ± 0.27, P = 0.023). Nail beds and matrices were also thicker but the differences were not statistically significant (1.77 ± 0.27 vs. 1.74 ± 0.21, P = 0.66, and 1.79 ± 0.28 vs. 1.67 ± 0.19, P = 0.10, respectively). No statistically significant differences in the trilaminar structure were found between both groups. Patients with and without asymptomatic enthesopathy of extensor digitorum tendons did not statistically differ as regards ultrasonographic alterations of the Achilles tendons (60.6% vs. 46.4%, P 0.368). CONCLUSION: Enthesopathy abnormalities can be detected by US in patients with psoriasis without musculoskeletal complaints frequently. There is a close relationship between subclinical enthesopathy of the extensor digitorum tendon and the presence of nail alterations. Further studies are required to research what implications have the presence of these ungual alterations measured by US, and how it affects later development of a PsA.

Mohs micrographic surgery in the elderly: comparison of tumours, surgery and first-year follow-up in patients younger and older than 80 years old in REGESMOHS.

BACKGROUND: The elderly population is increasing and more patients in this group undergo Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). The few publications investigating MMS in elderly people conclude that it is a safe procedure; however, these are single-centre studies without a comparison group. OBJECTIVE: To compare the characteristics of patients, tumours, MMS and 1-year follow-up in patients younger than 80 years, with patients older than 80 years at the time of surgery. METHODS: Data was analysed from REGESMOHS, a prospective cohort study of patients treated with MMS. The participating centres were 19 Spanish hospitals where at least one MMS is performed per week. Data on characteristics of the patient, tumour and surgery were recorded. Follow-up data were collected from two visits; the first within 1 month postsurgery and the second within the first year. RESULTS: From July 2013 to October 2016, 2575 patients that underwent MMS were included in the registry. Of them, 1942 (75.4%) were aged <80 years and 633 (24.6%) were ≥80 years old. In the elderly, the tumour size was significantly higher with a higher proportion of squamous cell carcinoma. Regarding surgery, elderly more commonly had tumours with deeper invasion and required a higher number of Mohs surgery stages, leaving larger defects and requiring more time in the operating room. Despite this, the incidence of postoperative complications was the same in both groups (7%) and there were no significant differences in proportion of relapses in the first-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: The risk of short-term complications and relapses were similar in elderly and younger groups. MMS is a safe procedure in the elderly.

Clinical features of hidradenitis suppurativa and Crohn disease: what do these two entities have in common? / Aspectos clínicos de la hidradenitis supurativa y de la enfermedad de Crohn: ¿qué hay en común?

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and Crohn disease (CD) are chronic, recurrent inflammatory diseases. They share certain clinical characteristics and flares are common in both. Both entities are usually diagnosed between the second and third decades of life and share risk factors such as smoking and overweight. In CD, as in HS, acute untreated episodes of inflammation can lead to sequels such as abscesses, fistulas and stenosis. Consequently, early management is of the utmost importance. Some patients have both diseases. The estimated prevalence of SH in CD patients is 12.4%-17.9%, while the prevalence of CD in HS patients is around 3%. The presence of HS in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with an earlier onset of IBD and with more frequent need for anti-TNF-alpha therapy and surgical resection.

Prognostic and predictive value of plasma testosterone levels in patients receiving first-line chemotherapy for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Biomarkers for metastatic castration-resistant prostatic cancer (mCRPC) are an unmet medical need. METHODS: The prognostic and predictive value for survival and response to salvage hormonal therapy (SHT) of baseline testosterone level (TL) was analysed in a cohort of 101 mCRPC patients participating in 9 non-hormonal first-line chemotherapy phase II-III trials. Inclusion criteria in all trials required a TL of <50 ng dl(-1). RESULTS: Median age: 70 years; visceral metastases: 19.8%; median prostate-specific antigen (PSA): 50.7 ng ml(-1); median TL: 11.5 ng dl(-1). Median overall survival (OS; 24.5 months) was significantly longer if baseline TL was above (High TL; n=52) than under (Low TL; n=49) the TL median value (32.7 vs 22.4 months, respectively; P=0.0162, hazard ratio (HR)=0.6). The presence of anaemia was an unfavourable prognostic factor (median OS: 20.6 vs 28.4 months; P=0.0025, HR=1.88 (CI95%: 1.01-3.48)). Patients presenting both anaemia and low testosterone had a worse outcome compared to those with one or none of them (median OS: 17.9 vs 22.4 vs 38.1 months; P=0.0024). High vs Low TL was associated with PSA response rate (55.6% vs 21.7%) in 41 patients receiving SHT. CONCLUSION: Testosterone level under castration range was a prognostic factor for survival mCRPC patients. The PSA response to SHT differed depending on TLs. Testosterone levels might help in treatment decision.

Incidence of hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria and related factors in patients treated with recombinant human parathyroid hormone (1-84).

AIM: The aim of this paper was to determine the incidence of hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria (and related factors) in 22 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis treated with PTH (1-84) in daily practice. METHODS: Osteoporosis was defined as history of osteoporotic fracture or a T score less than -3 SD on bone densitometry. Patients were treated with PTH (1-84), 100 mcg/daily, for 12 months. Clinical and laboratory data at baseline and after 6 months of treatment were assessed. RESULTS: The mean age was 71.9 years. The incidence of hypercalcemia and the hypercalciuria were 6 events. Increase in serum calcium levels showed a statistically significant correlation with 24-hour urinary calcium (rho [ρ]=0.83, P<0.001), serum alkaline phosphatase (ρ=0.76, P=0.001), total proteins (ρ=0.77, P=0.005), and ß-CTx (ρ=0.82, P=0.002). On the other hand, 24-hour urinary calcium excretion correlated significantly with ß-CTx (ρ=0.83, P=0.002), alkaline phosphatase (ρ=0.73, P=0.005), total proteins (ρ=0.73, P=0.02), and serum phosphate (ρ=0.58, P=0.04). When the group of patients with and without hypercalcemia were compared, there were statistically significant differences in increases of ß-CTx and baseline ß-CTx values, whereas the group of patients with and without hypercalciuria showed significant differences in serum calcium increases and baseline values of T score at the femoral neck. CONCLUSION: The incidence of hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria after treatment with PTH (1-84) is similar to that expected according to the product's technical specifications. There was a significant correlation between increases of serum calcium, urinary calcium excretion, serum alkaline phosphatase, and ß-CTx after treatment with PTH (1-84). Baseline ß-CTx values were significantly lower in patients who developed hypercalcemia than in those with normal serum calcium levels.

Unidad de gestión clínica de rehabilitación y aparato locomotor: una nueva propuesta de gestión / Clinical management and unity of rehabilitation and locomotive apparatus (CMU-LA): a new management proposal

Introducción. En el siglo Xxi la mayor amenaza, probablemente, con la que se enfrentan los sistemas sanitarios es el incremento continuado del gasto, producido por el aumento en las expectativas en salud y una mayor calidad y esperanza de vida de la población. Esto obliga a incorporar nuevas herramientas de gestión a la práctica clínica. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar el acuerdo de gestión de una unidad de gestión clínica del aparato locomotor y rehabilitación (UGC-AL). Material y métodos. La UGC-AL está compuesta por 18 personas que integran tres especialidades relacionadas con la patología del aparato locomotor para dar respuesta a las necesidades de la población del área sanitaria correspondiente, siguiendo el modelo de excelencia de la calidad. Resultados. El acuerdo de gestión de la UGC-AL consta de 10 dimensiones con 28 objetivos. El mismo recoge, entre otras, las dimensiones siguientes: accesibilidad, normas de calidad de los procesos asistenciales integrados, orientación al ciudadano, continuidad asistencial y disminución de la variabilidad clínica. Conclusión. Desde su creación, la UGC-AL se constituye como única “puerta de entrada” al sistema de todos los pacientes con patología no quirúrgica del aparato locomotor, mejorando la accesibilidad, aumentando la actividad clínica, disminuyendo la demora, facilitando la continuidad asistencial, para mejorar la calidad y seguridad del paciente, disminuyendo la variabilidad en la práctica clínica (DVPC) (AU)

Background. The continuous rise in costs cost, due to the increase of the expectations in health care and greater quality and life expectancy of the population, is probably the main threat faced by the health care systems in the Xxi century. Thus, new management tools must be incorporated into the clinical practice. The aim of this work is to present the care management agreement of a Clinical Management Unit in Locomotive Apparatus and Rehabilitation (CMU-LA). Methods. The CMU-LA is formed by 18 people from three specialties related with Locomotive Apparatus disease who use the excellence in quality model to satisfy the needs of the population of the corresponding Health Care Area. Results. The care management agreement of the CMU-LA has of 10 dimensions with 28 objectives. This agreement includes the following dimensions: Accessibility, Quality standards for integrated welfare processes, Citizen Guidance, Continuity of care, Decrease of the clinical variability. Conclusions. Since its creation, the CMU-LA is the only entry point for patients having Locomotive Apparatus problems that do not require surgery. It creation has led to improvement in accessibility, an increase in clinical activity, a reduction of the delay, and thus it has favored care continuity in order to improve the quality and safety of the patient, diminishing variability in the clinical practice (AU)

Evaluation of the blue formazan spot test for screening glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Several screening tests for glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency have been reported thus far, and a standardized method of testing was proposed by the International Council for Standardization in Hematology (ICSH). The screening test used in any particular laboratory depends upon a number of factors such as cost, time required, temperature, humidity, and availability of reagents. In this study, a direct comparison between three different G6PD screening methods has been undertaken. In 71 cases (50 hematologically normal volunteers, 9 hemizygous G6PD-deficient males, and 12 heterozygous deficient females), the blue formazan spot test (BFST) was compared with the conventional methemoglobin reduction test (HiRT) and the ICSH-recommended fluorescent spot test (FST-ICSH). In all cases, the results obtained with the three screening tests were correlated with the enzyme activity assayed spectrophotometrically. In hemizygous G6PD-deficient males, all cases were equally detected with the three methods: BFST (4.7-6.64, controls: 11.1-13.4), BMRT (score +3 in all 9 cases), and FST (no fluorescence in 9 cases). In heterozygous G6PD-deficient females, two methods detected 7 out of 12 cases (BFST: 8.71-11.75, controls: 11.1-13.4; and BMRT: score +3 in 7 cases), whereas the FST-ICSH missed all 12 cases that presented a variable degree of fluorescence. Although the sensitivity for G6PD-deficient carrier detection is the same for the BMRT and the BFST, the latter has the advantage of being semiquantitative and not merely qualitative. Unfortunately, none of the three screening tests compared here allowed the detection of the 100% heterozygote carrier state of G6PD deficiency.

Analytical and clinical performance of an automated immunoassay system (Immulite) for estradiol in serum.

The analytical and clinical performance of a commercial automated immunoassay system (Immulite) for estradiol (E2) in serum was evaluated. The functional sensitivity for E2 was 0.07 nmol/l, and analytical imprecision (<13%, <9% and <7% at 0.22, 0.51 and 1.51 nmol/l, respectively) for concentrations above this detection limit met published analytical goals. The assay recovery was good and the assay was linear over a wide concentration range. No sample carryover was found, and interferences from common substances present in serum were observed only at very high concentrations. Most of samples from men and postmenopausal women showed E2 concentrations below the detection limit. Longitudinal estradiol profiles from 11 healthy menstruating women showed characteristic menstrual cycle patterns (12 samples per subject obtained during a 30-day period). Longitudinal studies on women during induction of ovulation showed that E2 concentrations are highly correlated with the total number of follicles. Our results demonstrate the reliability of this system for routine use in the clinical laboratory.