Dermatitis herpetiformis and bone mineral density: analysis of a French cohort of 53 patients.

The characteristics of patients with dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) in France is poorly documented. Furthermore, the risk of fractures and bone mineral density (BMD) in DH remain under-described, and recommendations for systematic screening for osteoporosis in DH are lacking. To describe the characteristics of DH in a large French cohort and evaluate the association between BMD and features of osteoporosis. Patients were recruited from the French Association of Gluten Intolerants (AFDIAG) and a single university dermatology department. A telephone questionnaire was used to record features of DH, history of fractures, calcium intake, treatment, and the gluten-free diet (GFD). Serum calcium and 25(OH) vitamin D3+D2 levels, as well as BMD, were measured. We included 53 patients (27 men) with a median age of 49 years (range: 23-86). Median disease duration before inclusion was 14 years (range: 2-55); 51 patients (96%) were adherent to a GFD and had no digestive symptoms. Overall, 18 (34%) had a history of fractures; 16 high-velocity (traumatic) and two low-velocity (non-traumatic). Mean BMD, measured in 48 patients, was normal (femoral neck: 0.956 ± 0.210 g/cm2; lumbar spine: 1.091 ± 1.199 g/cm2). In all, 18 patients (38%) had osteopenia and one (2%) osteoporosis. T-score for bone density did not differ with and without fractures. Calcium intake and serum calcium level were normal in all patients. Screening for osteoporosis does not appear to be mandatory for DH patients with good adherence to a GFD and without digestive symptoms or additional risk factors of osteoporosis.

Guidelines for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of hand eczema.

The guidelines aim to provide advice on the management of hand eczema (HE), using an evidence- and consensus-based approach. The guidelines consider a systematic Cochrane review on interventions for HE, which is based on a systematic search of the published literature (including hand-searching). In addition to the evidence- and consensus-based recommendation on the treatment of HE, the guidelines cover mainly consensus-based diagnostic aspects and preventive measures (primary and secondary prevention). Treatment recommendations include non-pharmacological interventions, topical, physical and systemic treatments. Topical corticosteroids are recommended as first line treatment in the management of HE, however continuous long-term treatment beyond six weeks only when necessary and under careful me-dical supervision. Alitretinoin is recommended as a second line treatment (relative to topical corticosteroids) for patients with severe chronic HE. Randomized control trials (RCT) are missing for other used systemic treatments and comparison of systemic drugs in "head-to-head" RCTs are needed.The guidelines development group is a working group of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD) and has carefully tried to reconcile opposite views, define current optimal practice and provide specific recommendations, and meetings have been chaired by a professional moderator of the AWMF (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wis-senschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften; Association of the Scientific Medi-cal Societies in Germany).No financial support was given by any medical company. The guidelines are expected to be valid until December 2017 at the latest.

Guidelines for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of hand eczema--short version.

The guidelines aim to provide advice on the management of hand eczema (HE), using an evidence- and consensus-based approach. The guidelines consider a systematic Cochrane review on interventions for HE, which is based on a systematic search of the published literature (including hand-searching). In addition to the evidence- and consensus-based recommendation on the treatment of HE, the guidelines cover mainly consensus-based diagnostic aspects and preventive measures (primary and secondary prevention). Treatment recommendations include non-pharmacological interventions, topical, physical and systemic treatments. Topical corticosteroids are recommended as first line treatment in the management of HE, however continuous long-term treatment beyond six weeks only when necessary and under careful medical supervision. Alitretinoin is recommended as a second line treatment (relative to topical corticosteroids) for patients with severe chronic HE. Randomized control trials (RCT) are missing for other used systemic treatments and comparison of systemic drugs in "head-to-head" RCTs are needed. The guidelines development group is a working group of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD) and has carefully tried to reconcile opposite views, define current optimal practice and provide specific recommendations, and meetings have been chaired by a professional moderator of the AWMF (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften; Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany). No financial support was given by any medical company. The guidelines are expected to be valid until December 2017 at the latest.