Factors influencing sessions' and speakers' evaluation: an analysis of seven consecutive European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology congress editions.

BACKGROUND: The variables affecting participants' satisfaction with a scientific conference in dermatology have not been systematically assessed. The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) has collected a huge number of questionnaires related to sessions' and speakers' evaluation over the years. The critical analysis of satisfaction's score is important and helpful for continuous improvement of the scientific programming. OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that positively or negatively affect sessions' and speakers' scoring in the largest European congress of dermatology. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of all sessions' evaluation forms collected between 2009 and 2015 during seven consecutive EADV congresses. A predictive model for sessions' and another for speakers' score evaluation were built based on multivariate linear regression. RESULTS: Overall, 4964 speakers and 1022 sessions were evaluated. Topics more positively associated with total sessions' scoring were as follows: dermoscopy, neutrophilic diseases and hidradenitis suppurativa. Conversely, types of sessions which considerably negatively associated with total sessions' scoring included short thematic presentations and free communications. Furthermore, types of sessions which were more positively associated with high total speakers' scoring consisted of focus sessions and plenary lectures, whereas the most appreciated topics encompassed dermoscopy, screening programs, melanocytic naevi, panniculitis, organ transplanted and immunosuppressed patients, neutrophilic diseases, dermatopathology and history of dermatology. Finally, short thematic presentations, free communications and guidelines session showed overall poor scores. CONCLUSION: Focused and specialized topics are more prone to capture attention of participants when compared to sessions of heterogeneous content. Quite surprisingly, a practice-oriented topics such as guidelines, did not achieve a high score. Our findings provide new knowledge about components, which increase the level of satisfaction of participants and should facilitate the programming of attractive scientific congresses associated with increased training satisfaction.

Known and potential new risk factors for skin cancer in European populations: a multicentre case-control study.

BACKGROUND: During recent years numerous studies have suggested that personal and environmental factors might influence cancer development. OBJECTIVES: To investigate environmental and personal characteristics associated with skin cancer risk. METHODS: A multicentre hospital-based case-control study was performed in Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, Poland, Scotland and Spain, including 409 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 602 with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and 360 with cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) and 1550 control persons. Exposures were assessed by questionnaires that were partly self-administered, partly completed by dermatologists. Unconditional logistic regression modelling was used to assess associations including the influence of certain drugs and food items on skin cancer risk. RESULTS: The usual associations were observed for sun exposure and pigmentation characteristics, with chronic sun exposure being most strongly associated with SCC risk, and naevi and atypical naevi with CMM risk. Use of ciprofloxacin was associated with a decreased risk of BCC [odds ratio (OR) 0·33] and use of thiazide diuretics was associated with an increased risk of SCC (OR 1·66). Ciprofloxacin was also associated with SCC (OR 0·34) and thiazines with BCC (OR 2·04), but these associations lost significance after correction for multiple testing. Consumption of pomegranate, rich in antioxidants, was associated with decreased BCC and SCC risk, also after correcting for multiple testing. Recent experience of stressful events was associated with increased risk, particularly of CMM. CONCLUSIONS: In this large case-control study from across Europe the expected associations were observed for known risk factors. Some new potential protective factors and potential risk factors were identified for consumption of certain food items, medication use and stress, which deserve further investigation in future studies.

Risk factors for actinic keratosis in eight European centres: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data regarding the association of actinic keratosis (AK) and other types of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC); studies investigating possible correlation of AK with melanocytic naevi are even scarcer. To our knowledge, there are no data examining the risk of AK in people using specific medications. OBJECTIVE: To investigate constitutional and exposure risk factors leading to AK and the coexistence of AK with NMSC and melanoma. METHODS: A multicentre hospital-based case-control study was performed in Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, Poland, Scotland and Spain, including 343 patients with actinic keratosis (AK), 409 with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 602 with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), 360 with invasive melanoma and 119 with in situ melanoma, and 686 control subjects. Exposures were assessed by questionnaires that were partly self-administered and partly filled out by dermatologists. Unconditional logistic regression modelling was used to assess associations including the influence of phenotypic characteristics, presence of naevi, sun-exposure habits and certain drugs on AK risk. RESULTS: Differences in hair and eye coloration variably influenced the risk for AK, with red hair signifying a seven times higher risk [odds ratio (OR) 6·9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4·34-11·00), and brown - compared with blue - eyes, about a 40% reduced risk (OR 0·61, 95% CI 0·13-0·92). The darker the skin phototype, the lower the risk for AK, with phototype IV exhibiting nine times less risk of developing AK. Some and many freckles on the arms were associated with an OR of 1·8 (95% CI 1·08-2·81) and 3·0 (95% CI 1·10-3·54), respectively, while overall number of naevi and high educational level were inversely associated with AK. Sun exposure, thiazide diuretics and cardiac drugs had a higher risk for AK. SCC was the most frequent (58%) skin neoplasm coexisting with AKs, followed by BCC (30%), melanoma in situ (12%) and invasive melanoma (6%). CONCLUSION: In this large case-control study from across Europe the expected associations were confirmed for known risk factors. Some possible new risk factors, including cardiac and diuretic drugs, were identified, creating a new field for further investigation in future studies.

The Euromelanoma skin cancer prevention campaign in Europe: characteristics and results of 2009 and 2010.

BACKGROUND: Euromelanoma is a skin cancer education and prevention campaign that started in 1999 in Belgium as 'Melanoma day'. Since 2000, it is active in a large and growing number of European countries under the name Euromelanoma. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate results of Euromelanoma in 2009 and 2010 in 20 countries, describing characteristics of screenees, rates of clinically suspicious lesions for skin cancer and detection rates of melanomas. METHODS: Euromelanoma questionnaires were used by 20 countries providing their data in a standardized database (Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, FYRO Macedonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldavia, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine). RESULTS: In total, 59,858 subjects were screened in 20 countries. Most screenees were female (64%), median ages were 43 (female) and 46 (male) and 33% had phototype I or II. The suspicion rates ranged from 1.1% to 19.4% for melanoma (average 2.8%), from 0.0% to 10.7% for basal cell carcinoma (average 3.1%) and from 0.0% to 1.8% for squamous cell carcinoma (average 0.4%). The overall positive predictive value of countries where (estimation of) positive predictive value could be determined was 13.0%, melanoma detection rates varied from 0.1% to 1.9%. Dermoscopy was used in 78% of examinations with clinically suspected melanoma; full body skin examination was performed in 72% of the screenees. CONCLUSION: Although the population screened during Euromelanoma was relatively young, high rates of clinically suspected melanoma were found. The efficacy of Euromelanoma could be improved by targeting high-risk populations and by better use of dermoscopy and full body skin examination.

A profile of invasive cutaneous malignant melanoma in Malta: 1993-2002.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of malignant melanoma of the skin has risen in every part of the world where reliable cancer registration data are found. OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to describe the changing incidence of and survival from invasive cutaneous malignant melanoma in Malta, by analysing the data from the 211 cases that were registered at the Malta National Cancer Registry between 1993 and 2002. RESULTS: The age standardized incidence rates for invasive cutaneous malignant melanoma rose from 3.7 per 100,000 population per year for males and 5.1 for females in the first 5-year period, to 8.0 per 100,000 population per year for males and 5.9 for females in the second 5-year period. In both sexes, numbers of thin (< or = 1.0 mm) invasive melanomas increased significantly between 1993 and 2002; males also registered a significant increase in intermediate-thickness (1.01-4.0 mm) melanomas. The increase in numbers of thin and intermediate-thickness melanomas between the two 5-year periods was greatest in patients aged 60 years and over. The overall absolute 5-year survival rate for the first period was 74% and for the second period 92%. CONCLUSION: Numbers of reported cases of invasive cutaneous malignant melanoma in Malta have more than doubled during the 10-year study period. This is mostly due to a marked rise in the diagnosis of thin melanomas in both sexes, occurring mainly in patients aged 60 years and over. As thin melanomas are of low metastasizing potential, this has resulted in an increase in survival between the two 5-year study periods.

Sun awareness in Maltese secondary school students.

BACKGROUND: Studies indicate that reducing exposure to ultraviolet light during childhood and adolescence decreases the risk of skin cancer. From a young age, children need to be educated about the sun's harmful effects on the skin and how best to protect themselves. OBJECTIVE: To help in the design of school-based interventions to raise sun awareness, a school survey was carried out to identify students' stereotypes and misconceptions. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 965 students attending Maltese secondary schools in forms 1, 2 and 3 were surveyed in May 2002, using a structured questionnaire designed to examine students' sun-related attitudes and knowledge. RESULTS: A high level of sun awareness among students was demonstrated, with high scores on knowledge of the effects of the sun on the skin, knowledge of skin cancer and knowledge of sun protection. Girls were clearly more knowledgeable than boys. However, of all the students surveyed, 55% thought that a suntan made them look better and 70% thought that their friends would desire a tan. These views were commoner among the older students. Skin type and hair or eye colour had no bearing on attitudes towards tanning or sun-related knowledge. The commonest misconceptions were that 'the sun is bad for your skin only when you get sunburnt' and that 'you cannot get too much sun on a cloudy day'. Deliberate suntanning was more frequently reported by girls than by boys and by students in the higher forms. CONCLUSION: Attitude change lags behind knowledge. Future school sun awareness interventions need to take into account gender and age differences in students' attitudes and perspectives. They should aim at motivating attitude change and preventive behaviour through consistent and repeated sun-education messages that are supported by a sun-conscious school environment.

Sun awareness and sun protection practices in Malta.

BACKGROUND: Concern regarding the rising incidence of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers in Malta has led to the organization of annual campaigns since the early 1990s. These aim to inform the public of the dangers of sun exposure and to promote sun protection. OBJECTIVE: To help guide future campaigns, a survey was carried out to evaluate current sun protection measures among the Maltese people and to assess their level of knowledge regarding harmful effects of the sun on the skin. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 559 pedestrians were interviewed in the main street of the capital city of Malta in the summer of 1999. RESULTS: Self-reported rates of regular sunscreen and hat use in adults exposed to the spring/summer sun between 10.00 h and 15.00 h were 51% and 32%, respectively, for leisure activities, and 25% and 37%, respectively, for outdoor work. Men reported using sunscreen less often than women during both leisure and work. The fairer-skinned outdoor workers actually reported making less use of a sunscreen and/or hat than their darker counterparts, and rates of sunscreen and/or hat use during leisure and work were not found to increase with the amount of time spent in the sun. Almost 75% of sunscreen users were using a sun protection factor of at least 15. Parents reported much higher rates of regular sunscreen and hat use by their young children than by themselves, with 87% of children under 12 years of age reported to be using sunscreen and 78% reported to be wearing a hat. The great majority knew that injudicious sun exposure is associated with skin cancer and skin ageing, but 48% were still regarding a suntan achieved without skin burning as 'healthy' The mass media was by far considered to be the main source of information for the general public regarding effects of the sun on the skin. CONCLUSIONS: The positive impact of past campaigns can be seen in the high reported rates of sun protection in children. However, much remains to be done with adults in order to change their attitude about a 'healthy suntan' and to convince them that it is worthwhile to protect themselves from the sun.

Teaching non-specialist health care professionals how to identify the atypical mole syndrome phenotype: a multinational study.

The atypical mole syndrome (AMS) phenotype is the strongest known risk factor for cutaneous melanoma but recognition of the phenotype has been claimed to be problematic and to require specialist assessment. This study determined the ability of previously unskilled doctors and nurses in five countries to recognize the phenotype after brief training. The system used was the AMS scoring system. This incorporates melanocytic naevus counts, clinical atypia of naevi and distribution of naevi. The agreement in scoring between the dermatologist and trained personnel was determined in 986 patients; overall agreement in diagnosis was 94.5% (kappa 0.70, P < 0.0001). The kappa scores in different countries ranged from 0.65 to 0.77 for individual naevus characteristics, indicative of good agreement. Accurate diagnosis of the atypical mole syndrome phenotype is possible by non-specialists. This has implications for collaborative studies of naevi, for screening and for both primary and secondary prevention of melanoma.

Azathioprine in dermatological practice. An overview with special emphasis on its use in non-bullous inflammatory dermatoses.

Azathioprine is employed for its immunosuppressive properties, as a steroid-sparing agent or as monotherapy. Its most traditional clinical indications are connective tissue diseases, vasculitis, post-transplant, and immunobullous dermatoses. The main disadvantages of azathioprine therapy are a delayed onset of action (6-8 weeks), and rare profound bone marrow toxicity. Susceptibility to bone marrow toxicity is due to a genetically determined metabolic defect (1 in 300). Patients at risk of such toxicity may be identified by a Thiopurine methyltransferase enzyme assay. We have undertaken a retrospective study, looking at the use of azathioprine as monotherapy for non-bullous inflammatory dermatoses. We studied a total of 24 patients (10 male, 14 female). The dermatoses comprised: atopic eczema (10), pompholyx (6), plaque psoriasis (6), and chronic actinic dermatitis (2). All patients had severe refractory disease warranting systemic second line therapy. The mean age was 49.4 years (range 17-86 years). The starting dose of azathioprine was 100-150 mg/day, and the maintenance dose 50-100 mg/day. The mean duration of treatment was 33.5 months(range 1-132 months). Eighteen patients (75%) showed a good to excellent sustained clinical response to azathioprine. This response rate was evenly represented in the 4 dermatoses studied. The adverse reactions encountered were raised MCV (6), leucopenia (2), raised hepatic enzymes (6), and dyspepsia (4). Azathioprine had to be discontinued due to adverse reactions in 2 patients (dyspepsia, raised hepatic enzymes) followed by normalization. Other factors that potentially contributed to the observed adverse events were present in 5 patients: alcoholism (2), erythromycin toxicity (1), and malabsorption (2). Our study demonstrates the efficacy of azathioprine monotherapy for severe atopic eczema, pompholyx, plaque psoriasis, and chronic actinic dermatitis. Furthermore, azathioprine is a low cost and generally well tolerated drug.

Familial juvenile systemic granulomatosis (Blau's syndrome).

Blau's syndrome refers to the rare familial presentation of a sarcoid-like granulomatous disease classically involving the skin, uveal tract and joints, in the absence of pulmonary manifestations. The onset is in childhood, and the mode of inheritance is thought to be autosomal dominant. We report a 15-year-old female and her 22-month-old daughter who presented with clinical features similar to those of Blau's syndrome. In addition to the skin, eye and joint disease, the mother also developed neurological involvement. In both patients long-term systemic corticosteroids were required to control the disease.

Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp: response to isotretinoin.

We report three patients with dissecting cellulitis of the scalp. Prolonged treatment with oral isotretinoin was highly effective in all three patients. Furthermore, long-term post-treatment follow-up in two of the patients has shown a sustained therapeutic benefit.

Occupational contact sensitization to the stabilized chlorinated paraffin fraction in neat cutting oil.

Twelve men developed contact sensitization to a neat cutting oil to which they were occupationally exposed in the same factory. Serial patch testing ultimately showed strong positive reactions to the chlorinated paraffin fraction of the oil in all 12 patients, whereas negative results were obtained in all 25 controls. Patch testing to pure chlorinated paraffin, on the other hand, gave negative results. Unexplained positive patch test reactions to epoxy resin from the standard series were elicited in half of the cases, suggesting that an epoxy stabilizer within the chlorinated paraffin fraction was the most likely sensitizer responsible for the outbreak of dermatitis. Because of insufficient manufacturer cooperation, we were not able to specifically identify the sensitizer. A number of deficiencies in the work practice, which accounted for the relatively large size of the sensitized group, were identified.

Acute graft-versus-host disease with unusual cutaneous intracellular vacuolation in an infant with severe combined immunodeficiency.

We report an infant with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) who had cutaneous manifestations of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) due to maternofetal lymphocyte engraftment. Histologic and ultrastructural examinations of the skin revealed intracellular vacuoles resembling lipid droplets in the epidermis and dermis, which is not a recognized feature of acute GVHD or SCID.