Association of Smoking with the Severity of H. pylori with the Extent of Its Impact on Blood Parameters.

H. pylori infection is considered a major global gastric disorder. Furthermore, the spread of H. pylori infection and its effect on systemic disorders and blood is not fully understood. On the other hand, the high percentage of smokers and their impacts on the health system have become a significant concern. Therefore, the current study aimed to compare the H. pylori infection in smokers and non-smokers and their effects on hematological parameters.190 patients participated and were divided into two groups; 95 were smokers and 95 were non-smokers. The Helicobacter pylori detector instrument showed that the participants were infected. Vein blood was collected to check hematological parameters via a fully automatic hematological analyzer (DIAGON Ltd.-D-Cell 60). The recorded data showed that the highest percentage of infected patients was 26-45 years in both smokers and non-smokers (P≤0.05). Furthermore, depending on the residence, our study revealed that the urban cases were the highest percentage compared to rural cases (P≤0.05). The hematological parameters showed that RBCs, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH, and MCHC were significantly higher in smokers compared with non-smokers (P≤0.05).

[Management of scrotal cysts usingCO2 laser: Two cases and a literature review]. / Traitement des kystes épidermoïdes du scrotum par laser CO2 : deux cas et revue de la littérature.

BACKGROUND: Epidermal cyst is a common cutaneous lesion that may be located in the scrotum and is seen especially in young and middle-aged men. This entity is not only chronic but can also affect the patient's appearance, thus having an impact on their quality of life. Surgical excision is the classical procedure to remove such cysts, but it can be time-consuming and leave unpleasant scars. In this report, we included patients with scrotal cysts treated with the CO2 laser. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study reports on two patients referred with epidermal scrotal cysts in whom CO2 laser was used in superpulse mode at 10 to 10.8W and with a pulse duration of 20ms. The session was performed after local anesthesia with lidocaine. One to two 10-minute sessions were required to treat all cysts. All the patients were satisfied with the cosmetic results and no complications or recurrences were observed at follow-up. We also treated a patient with a single scrotal cyst in the same way, with excellent results. DISCUSSION: A literature review was performed using the Medline database. It revealed only two case reports involving scrotal cysts treated with laser using Nd-YAG laser and Diode Laser. There is no reported use of CO2 laser in the treatment of scrotal cysts. Its use in superpulsed mode in the cases we describe is innovative. This procedure appears to be a safe, tolerable, and efficacious approach for the removal of epidermal scrotal cysts resulting in excellent cosmetic results and without recurrence.

Twenty-nine cases of lupus vulgaris.

UNLABELLED: Cutaneous tuberculosis (TB) is a rare presentation of extrapulmonary TB. Lupus vulgaris (LV) is a common presentation of cutaneous TB. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic, and outcome features of LV in the region of Sfax, Tunisia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective and descriptive study of LV case patients observed at the dermatology department of the Hédi Chaker Hospital (Sfax) over a 34-year period. RESULTS: A total of 88 cutaneous TB case patients were identified during the study period, including 29 patients presenting with LV. All patients had clinical features of the most common presentation of LV. The results of skin biopsies indicated tuberculoid granulomas without caseous necrosis. Patients received TB treatment. LV progressed to squamous cell carcinoma in one patient. CONCLUSION: In Tunisia, endemic country for TB, LV should be considered in patients presenting with an old skin lesion.

[Treatment of keloid with phenol: a new therapy]. / La phénolisation: un nouveau traitement des chéloïdes.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of a new treatment for keloid scars using a 40% phenol solution in accordance with a predefined protocol. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was made of the files of 25 patients treated with phenol from June 2010 to March 2012. RESULTS: The keloids were located predominantly on the trunk (48%) and upper extremities (34%). The total number of keloids was 52, with a median size of 11.16 cm(2). Phenol was the sole and first-line treatment in 40% of cases. Patient adherence to the protocol of phenol was noted in 81% of cases. The mean number of phenol sessions was 14.2. Seventy-two percent of patients were satisfied with the treatment. Mean regression in keloid size of 75.5% was noted. A change in local keloid pigmentation was observed in 75% of patients. Local adverse reactions (itching, infection, ulceration) were seen in 6 patients (28.6%). No cases of systemic signs of phenol were observed. After mean follow-up of 12.8 months, no recurrence of keloids was noted. CONCLUSION: Use of phenols in the topical treatment of keloids appears valuable since it is easy to apply and provides good results with few side effects.

The relationship between alopecia areata and alexithymia, anxiety and depression: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is a skin disease characterized by the sudden appearance of areas of hair loss on the scalp and other hair-bearing areas, but its aesthetic repercussions can lead to profound changes in patient's psychological status and relationships. AIM: The goal was to investigate a possible relationship between AA and alexithymia as well as two other emotional dimensions, anxiety and depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with AA seen in the Department of Dermatology of Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax were included in this study. Anxiety and depression were evaluated by Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale questionnaire, alexithymia was assessed by Toronto Alexithymia scale 20, and severity of AA was measured by Severity of Alopecia Tool. RESULTS: Patient's mean age was 32.92 years. 52% of patients were females. Depression and anxiety were detected respectively in 38% and 62% of patients. There was statistically significant difference between patients and control group in terms of depression (P = 0.047) and anxiety (P = 0.005). Forty-two percent of patients scored positive for alexithymia. No significant difference was found between patient and control groups (P = 0.683) in terms of alexithymia. Anxiety was responsible for 14.7% of variation in alexithymia (P = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a high prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in AA patients. Dermatologists should be aware of the psychological impact of AA, especially as current treatments have limited effectiveness.