Serum Zinc Level in Patients with Severe Genital Warts: A Case-Control Study in a Dermatology Hospital.

Background: Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted disease (STD), and there is no method that completely prevents its recurrence. Recently, zinc has been used in the treatment of cutaneous warts. Nondestructive action, ease of use, and promising results with low chances of relapse were reflected in the treatment. These effects may arise from the immunomodulatory activity of zinc in the event of a viral infection. Objectives: This study was aimed at identifying the relationship between the serum zinc level and the clinical characteristics of patients with genital warts. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted. Genital warts were diagnosed by clinical examination, and disease severity was demonstrated based on the number of affected sites or the spread of lesions. The serum zinc level was measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: A total of 78 patients with genital warts and 78 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. The mean serum zinc level in the genital wart group was lower than that in the control group (81.83 ± 13.99 µg/dL vs. 86.66 ± 17.58 µg/dL); however, this difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The mean concentrations of serum zinc in patients having more than one affected site, spread > 2 cm2, or ten or more lesions were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results suggested that severe genital warts may be associated with a low serum zinc level in patients.

Long-pulsed 1064-nm and 755-nm lasers for C1 leg veins on skin type IV patients: a side-by-side comparison.

Long-pulsed 1064-nm (LP1064) and 755-nm (LP755) lasers have been demonstrated as effective treatments for leg veins. However, few studies of these treatments on Asian skin type as well as direct comparison between two methods were reported. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of LP1064 with LP755 in the treatment of C1 leg veins on skin type IV patients. Patients with symmetric matched areas C1 leg veins were treated with single session of LP1064 for the right and LP755 for the left. Treated areas of every patient were divided into matrices of 2 × 2 cm squares. Vessels in the highest density squares were subjected to evaluation. Spot sizes were 5 mm fixed. Pulse durations and fluences were according to vessel diameters and endpoints, respectively. The clearances were evaluated at 1 and 3 months post treatment. Side effects were recorded immediately, 10 min, 24 h, and 1 and 3 months after treatment. Twenty-two patients were enrolled with total 96 vessels from 22 selected squares in the right and 106 vessels from 22 selected squares in the left. At 1-month follow-up, the clearances of LP1064 and LP755 were not significantly different (71.87% and 71.69%, respectively; p = 0.99). At 3-month follow-up, the efficacies were constant and no recurrence occurred. Pain levels of both methods were moderate and significantly lower in LP755. These findings suggest that LP1064 and LP755 laser treatments were comparatively effective and safe for C1 leg veins of skin type IV patients.