Split-Face Comparative Analysis Of Micro-Needling With Tranexamic Acid Vs Vitamin C Serum In Melasma.

BACKGROUND: Melasma is a very common skin problem that is much more prevalent in women. In our society, it results in many psycho-social implications and eventually leads to an impaired quality of life. Many treatment modalities have been developed for it. However, in recent years resistant forms of melasma have emerged that are unresponsive to the usual first line treatment options. Thus, this study is being conducted to explore new treatment modalities for this disease by using micro-needling with vitamin C and tranexamic acid. METHODS: Thirty patients participated in this non-randomized clinical trial including 11 males and 19 females. All patients received Tranexamic acid via micro-needling on right side of the face and Vitamin C on the left side. A total of three biweekly sessions were performed. Patients' response was evaluated at week 2, 4 and 6 on the basis of Physician Global Assessment, Patient Global Assessment, modified Melasma Area Severity Index and clinical assessment. Paired sample t-tests were used to calculate the difference in the means of two groups at 2, 4 and 6 weeks and p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: After first session, there was more improvement observed with tranexamic acid. At the end of 6 weeks, modified Melasma Area Severity Index, Physician Global Assessment and Patient Global Assessment showed significant improvement with both tranexamic acid and vitamin C. However, the difference between them was not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both Tranexamic acid and Vitamin C are potent therapies for melasma as an adjuvant to micro-needling.

Frequency Of Metabolic Syndrome In Patients With Psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a non-communicable, long-lasting disorder of the skin comprising various immunological inflammatory changes. Increasing evidence suggests that psoriasis is closely related to multiple organ systems, potentially arising due to underlying co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and obesity. Aim of this study was to know the frequency of metabolic syndrome in psoriasis patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from May to November 2020 in a Tertiary-care hospital. Eighty patients diagnosed with psoriasis were selected using non-probability consecutive sampling. Informed written consent was obtained from each patient and a questionnaire was filled. Blood pressure, waist circumference, body surface area covered by psoriasis, Psoriasis Area Severity Index were recorded on initial visit. Fasting blood sugar, serum triglyceride and HDL cholesterol levels were advised. Patients were diagnosed to have metabolic syndrome if ≥3 out of 5 criteria for the modified version of National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Panel III were met. RESULTS: There were 62 male and 18 female patients. A total of 39 patients (48.8%) met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Amongst these, 26/62 (41.9%) males vs 13/18 (72.2%) females fulfilled the criteria. The mean BMI of males was 26.0 while those of females was 28.3, comparison of which demonstrated a noteworthy difference (p=0.04). A statistically significant (p=0.038) positive correlation (r) of 0.233 was observed between body surface area and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic syndrome is seen frequently in patients of Psoriasis. Female patients have a significant frequency of metabolic syndrome and tend to have a higher BMI than males.