Improving the disease awareness: how a communication campaign brings hidradenitis suppurativa to the light.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa is an inflammatory skin disease that presents a recurrence of painful and suppurating lesions in the apocrine gland-bearing regions, with a strong impact on the patients' life quality. Despite its peculiar presentation, early forms are often underestimated by patients and this would inevitably result in late diagnosis and delayed therapy. OBJECTIVES: Improved communication around the disease could facilitate self-diagnosis and a quicker response from healthcare practitioners, especially in this moment when we dispose of effective treatment against this disease. METHODS: A HS awareness campaign was conducted for 2 years with the help of a media agency and a patients' association. RESULTS: Results confirm that a better communication has a strong impact on the disease awareness. CONCLUSIONS: This paper demonstrates that the more this disease awareness is carried on, the more quick, effective and efficient the patient's management could be.

Toxicologic evaluation of potassium polyaspartate (A-5D K/SD): Genotoxicity and subchronic toxicity.

Potassium polyaspartate (A-5D K/SD) is proposed for use as a stabiliser in wine, with a maximum use level of 300 mg/L and typical levels in the range of 100-200 mg/L. Potassium polyaspartate (A-5D K/SD) tested negative in a bacterial reverse mutation assay performed in accordance with OECD TG 471 and in an in vitro mammalian cell micronucleus test performed in accordance with OECD TG 487. From a 90-day oral toxicity study in male and female Wistar rats performed in accordance with OECD TG 408, a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was set at 1000 mg/kg bw per day, the highest dose tested. In its opinion adopted on 9 March 2016, the EFSA-ANS Panel (European Food Safety Authority - Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food), considering these data, concluded that "there was no safety concern from the proposed use and use levels of potassium polyaspartate (A-5D K/SD)".