Monocyte-to-High-Density Lipoprotein Ratio Is Associated with Systemic Inflammation, Insulin Resistance, and Coronary Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Psoriasis: Results from 2 Observational Cohorts.

Systemic inflammation or insulin resistance drive atherosclerosis. However, they are difficult to capture for assessing cardiovascular risk in clinical settings. The monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) is an accessible biomarker that integrates inflammatory and metabolic information and has been associated with poorer cardiovascular outcomes. Our aim was to evaluate the association of MHR with the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriasis. The study involved a European and an American cohort including 405 patients with the disease. Subclinical atherosclerosis was assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography. First, MHR correlated with insulin resistance through homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, with high-sensitivity CRP and with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in spleen, liver, and bone marrow by positron emission tomography/computed tomography. MHR was associated with both the presence of coronary plaques >50% of the artery lumen and noncalcified coronary burden, beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors (P < .05). In a noncalcified coronary burden prediction model accounting for cardiovascular risk factors, statins, and biologic treatment, MHR added value (area under the curve base model = 0.72 vs area under the curve base model plus MHR = 0.76, P = .04) within the American cohort. These results suggests that MHR may detect patients with psoriasis who have subclinical burden of cardiovascular disease and warrant more aggressive measures to reduce lifetime adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

From Molecular Insights to Clinical Perspectives in Drug-Associated Bullous Pemphigoid.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP), the most common autoimmune blistering disease, is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies targeting BP180 and BP230 in the basement membrane zone. This leads to the activation of complement-dependent and independent pathways, resulting in proteolytic cleavage at the dermoepidermal junction and an eosinophilic inflammatory response. While numerous drugs have been associated with BP in the literature, causality and pathogenic mechanisms remain elusive in most cases. Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4i), in particular, are the most frequently reported drugs related to BP and, therefore, have been extensively investigated. They can potentially trigger BP through the impaired proteolytic degradation of BP180, combined with immune dysregulation. DPP4i-associated BP can be categorized into true drug-induced BP and drug-triggered BP, with the latter resembling classic BP. Antineoplastic immunotherapy is increasingly associated with BP, with both B and T cells involved. Other drugs, including biologics, diuretics and cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric agents, present weaker evidence and poorly understood pathogenic mechanisms. Further research is needed due to the growing incidence of BP and the increasing identification of new potential triggers.

Imiquimod as Local Immunotherapy in the Management of Premalignant Cutaneous Conditions and Skin Cancer.

Cutaneous cancers are, by far, the most common malignant neoplasms of the human being. Due to the great array of clinical conditions, their worldwide increasing incidence and the steady ageing of the population, non-invasive treatments modalities that show a good clinical response, a proper benefit-risk ratio and cosmetic results are becoming increasingly important in the clinical setting. Imiquimod is a topically applied immunomodulator which is often used in the management of several premalignant and malignant cutaneous disorders. This article is a review of the current literature on its mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutical effects.

Cardiovascular Screening Practices and Statin Prescription Habits in Patients with Psoriasis among Dermatologists, Rheumatologists and Primary Care Physicians.

Patients with psoriasis have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. This study evaluated cardiovascular screening practices and statin prescribing habits among dermatologists, rheumatologists and primary care physicians (PCPs) through an online questionnaire, which was distributed through the Spanish scientific societies of the above-mentioned specialties. A total of 299 physicians (103 dermatologists, 94 rheumatologists and 102 PCPs) responded to the questionnaire. Of these, 74.6% reported screening for smoking, 37.8% for hypertension, 80.3% for dyslipidaemia, and 79.6% for diabetes mellitus. Notably, only 28.4% performed global screening, defined as screening for smoking, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and diabetes mellitus by the same physician, and 24.4% reported calculating 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, probably reflecting a lack of comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment in these patients. This study also identified unmet needs for awareness of cardiovascular comorbidities in psoriasis and corresponding screening and treatment recommendations among PCPs. Of PCPs, 61.2% reported not being aware of the association between psoriasis and CVD and/or not being aware of its screening recommendations, and 67.6% did not consider psoriasis as a risk-enhancing factor when deciding on statin prescription. Thirteen dermatologists (12.6%) and 35 rheumatologists (37.2%) reported prescribing statins. Among those who do not prescribe, 49.7% would be willing to start their prescription.

Human Monkeypox in People With HIV: Transmission, Clinical Features, and Outcome.

We describe the first 25 persons with HIV diagnosed with human monkeypox virus (MPXV) in our hospital in an ongoing outbreak in Spain. Proctitis was the predominant finding in 52%, and MPXV DNA was detected in rectal swabs from 90%. Proctitis and demonstration of MPXV in rectal swabs support the sexual transmission of MPXV.