Effect of the Intralesional Forms of Methylprednisolone Acetate and Methotrexate on Psoriatic Nails.

Individuals with psoriatic nails often have a lower quality of life relative to their counterparts with healthy nails. Methotrexate (MTX), an anti-neoplastic agent, is a longstanding treatment option for nail psoriasis. In the current study, we compared the effects of MTX to that of a corticosteroid, namely, methylprednisolone acetate (i.e., Depo-Medrol®) across individuals with nail psoriasis. We used a cohort study design, and both agents were administered intralesionally. Outcome variables were based on the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI). We quantified the effect in terms of change in NAPSI, complete cure at week 16, and cure between 32 and 36 weeks. Our regressions demonstrated that reduced NAPSI scores with Depo-Medrol were, on average, greater than that with MTX by 2.27 (n = 48, P = 0.000255) at week 16. Similarly, the odds of complete cure at week 16 was greater with Depo-Medrol® than with MTX (odds ratio = 18.6, P < 0.0001). In terms of both complete cure and change in NAPSI, Depo-Medrol® was significantly more effective than MTX at a follow-up period of 32-36 weeks. Our study established that intralesional Depo-Medrol® is more effective than intralesional methotrexate for treating nail psoriasis.

CO2 Laser Matricectomy for the Treatment of Pincer Nail Deformity: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Pincer nail deformity (PND) is a common toenail disorder characterized by transverse over-curvature of the nail plate. It can cause severe pain, chronic inflammation, and recurrent infections. Both conservative and surgical treatment options carry different disadvantages of limited efficacy, high recurrence rate, and poor cosmetic outcome. The study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser matricectomy for the treatment of PND. METHODS: The database of the laser unit of a tertiary medical center was retrospectively searched for all patients who were diagnosed with PND in 2016-2022 and treated with lateral and/or medial matricectomy using CO2 laser. Clinical and follow-up data were collected from the medical files.  Results: The cohort included 19 patients (5 male, 14 female) who underwent 25 partial matricectomies during the study period (some patients had more than one diseased nail). All procedures were successful, with no intraoperative or postoperative complications. There was one documented recurrence at 7 months after treatment. CONCLUSION: Partial CO2 laser matricectomy is safe and effective for the treatment of PND. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(11):1099-1102     doi:10.36849/JDD.7574.

Diagnostic delay, comorbid hidradenitis suppurativa and the prognostic value of bacterial culture in folliculitis decalvans: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Folliculitis decalvans (FD) is a type of primary neutrophilic cicatricial alopecia often leading to irreversible hair loss. Data on its epidemiology, clinical features, outcomes, and prognostic factors are limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a cohort of patients with FD and identify characteristics of severe disease and prognostic factors which impede remission. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 192 patients diagnosed with FD and followed for at least six months at a tertiary center between 2010 and 2020. RESULTS: There was a diagnostic delay averaging 22.2 (± 29.7) months. Comorbid follicular occlusion disorders were common. Bacterial cultures were positive in 45.6% of the cases, with Staphylococcus (S.) aureus being the most common pathogen. Severe disease was associated with comorbid hidradenitis suppurativa and a positive bacterial culture, particularly S. aureus. 50.7% of patients experienced complete remission: 32% within the first six months of treatment and 18.7% later during follow-up. Relapses were frequent. Negative prognostic factors for achieving remission included younger age and a positive bacterial culture. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for the education of dermatologists to reduce the diagnostic delay. Screening FD patients for comorbid hidradenitis suppurativa and obtaining bacterial cultures is important for treatment planning.

Changing spectrum of hair and scalp disorders over the last decade in a tertiary medical centre.

BACKGROUND: Hair- and scalp-related disorders (HSRDs) encompass a wide range of conditions that affect people of all ages. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the workload and trends in HSRDs at an outpatient dermatological clinic in a tertiary medical centre over a 10-year period. METHODS: Medical records for HSRD visits to the outpatient dermatology clinic at the Sheba Medical Center, an Israeli tertiary care center, were reviewed between 1 January, 2010 and 31 December, 2020. RESULTS: There were 10,396 HSRD visits with a new-to-follow-up visit ratio of 1:1.9. The annual number of HSRD visits, as well as their proportion out of all dermatological outpatient visits, have increased from 295 (1.24%) in 2010 to 1726 (9.44%) in 2020. The patients' mean age was 35.3 years (women 39.5 years, men 28.8 years), age range 1-87 years. Over the decade, there was a growing predominance of women with an average female-to-male ratio of 2:1. The winter season accounted for 28.7% of annual visits, followed by the autumn (25.6%), summer (24.3%) and spring (21.4%). The most prevalent HSRDs included androgenetic alopecia (30.6%), alopecia areata (19.3%), telogen effluvium (15.4%), non-scarring folliculitis (15.4%), seborrheic dermatitis (14.9%), lichen planopilaris (7.1%) and folliculitis decalvans (6.6%). Androgenetic alopecia demonstrated the highest increase over the decade examined (from 17% to 32%). CONCLUSION: HSRDs account for a significant percentage of visits at a tertiary dermatology outpatient clinic. The number of HSRD visits has increased annually over the past decade. The recent advancement in diagnosis and treatment may account, at least in part, for the growing burden of HSRDs within dermatological ambulatory care.

New-Onset Guttate Psoriasis: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study.

BACKGROUND: Guttate psoriasis (GP), a distinct variant of psoriasis, is more common in children and adolescents. The long-term course of these patients has sparsely been examined, with few studies reporting the rates of relapse, persistence, and further development of the psoriasis vulgaris phenotype. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to characterize the long-term outcomes of new-onset GP and elucidate the potential factors associated with a persistent disease course. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. Patients diagnosed with new-onset GP between 2009 and 2020 with a follow-up period of at least 1 year, were enrolled. The examinees were evaluated by dermatologists. Detailed data retrieved from the examinees' medical files included demographics, disease characteristics, treatment, and comorbidities. A structured telephone questionnaire was used to determine the current psoriasis status: type, severity, and extent. At the end of follow-up, patients with a persistent disease course, defined as having lesions at least a year after disease onset, were compared with patients in complete remission without further psoriasis symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients (mean age 28.8 years [±15.2], 58.3% women) with new-onset GP flare were identified. At the end of follow-up period (mean 6.2 years [±3.1]), 49.1% (n = 59) of the patients reported active persistent psoriasis. A switch to the psoriasis vulgaris phenotype occurred in 17.5% (n = 21) of the study cohort. Persistent psoriasis was associated with male sex (OR = 2.1, p < 0.05), multiple disease flares (>3; OR = 9.1, p < 0.001), switch to the vulgaris phenotype (OR = 4.16, p < 0.001), and palmoplantar involvement (OR = 5.2, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: A persistent disease course is common among patients with new-onset GP, with most retaining their guttate phenotype throughout the disease course. Persistency was associated with male sex, multiple GP flares, switching to the vulgaris phenotype, and palmoplantar involvement.

Tinea capitis caused by Trichophyton tonsurans among adults: Clinical characteristics and treatment response.

BACKGROUND: Trichophyton tonsurans tinea capitis has become a growing epidemiological concern. Yet, its clinical manifestations and treatment response, specifically among adults, have only been described among small sample size studies. OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical manifestations and treatment outcome of T. tonsurans tinea capitis among adults. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out among 111 adults with T. tonsurans tinea capitis. Diagnosis was confirmed by fungal culture or polymerase chain reaction. Examinees' demographics, disease characteristics and treatment response were measured. The risk factors for the treatment failure were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age was 20.1 years (±3.1), with men (98.2%) outnumbering women. The follow-up lasted 12.2 months (±5.6). The majority of T. tonsurans tinea capitis was seen in the occipital area (87.6%). In 78.9% of the cases, the scalp manifestation was non-inflammatory (scaly plaques and papules:76.1% and seborrhoea-like: 2.8%). 21.1% of cases presented with inflammatory tinea capitis (21.1%; Kerion: 10.1% and pustular: 11%). Concomitant involvement of other than scalp areas was common: tinea corporis was seen in 38.7% of the cases; tinea faciei and barbae in 24.3%; nape and anterior neck in 76.6% and 2.7% of the cases, respectively. An adequate treatment course with oral terbinafine resulted in 83.2% clinical cure rate. Treatment failure was significantly associated with concomitant tinea corporis (odds ratio 3.9; 95% confidence interval 1.3-12.1, p-Value< .02). CONCLUSION: The most common clinical presentation of T. tonsurans tinea capitis included occipital scaly plaques and papules with concomitant non-scalp lesions. Oral terbinafine was found to be highly effective. Concomitant tinea corporis increased the risk for treatment failure.

Diagnostic approach to tinea capitis with kerion: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Kerion is an inflammatory type of tinea capitis manifesting as boggy crusted nodules. Diagnosis of kerion is often challenging due to high rates of false-negative mycological samples. METHODS: A retrospective study among children with kerion, prior to antifungal treatment, was conducted to assess rates of false-negative mycological samples. Specimens for direct microscopy and fungal culture were collected at baseline and after administration of an oral antibiotic course, with or without an oral steroid course. Kerion was categorized as highly inflammatory when a painful, moist scalp nodule with spontaneous purulent discharge or exuberant crust was present, or mildly inflammatory when an erythematous, dry scalp nodule was seen. RESULTS: Twenty-three children (mean age 7.9 ± 3.0 years) were included in the study. Trichophyton tonsurans was the most common species isolated (69.6%). Highly inflammatory kerions were significantly more likely to be culture negative before treatment than mildly inflammatory kerions (80% vs. 16.7%, p < .01). Non-inflammatory tinea capitis lesions (n = 13) were culture positive in all cases. Following a combined oral antibiotic and steroid course given to most highly inflammatory kerions (n = 11/13), higher rates of positive fungal cultures were found compared to baseline (90.9% vs. 18.2%, p < .01). CONCLUSION: High rates of negative fungal cultures were found only in highly inflammatory kerion. Sampling a highly inflammatory kerion after a combined oral antibiotic and steroid course improved rates of positive fungal cultures. In addition, sampling of non-inflammatory tinea capitis lesions (when present in addition to the kerion) had the highest culture sensitivity.

Efficacy of Fluocinonide\Bifonazole Cream for the Treatment of Trachyonychia: A Retrospective Case Series.

Background: Trachyonychia is a benign nail condition, most commonly seen in children. Trachyonychia manifests as excessive longitudinal ridging, nail roughness, and nail brittleness. Treatment is sought mainly for esthetic reasons as well as functional reasons. A number of therapeutic approaches exist, mainly based on case reports or small non-comparative case series. Aims: To report treatment outcome among patients with trachyonychia. Methods: A retrospective case-series study was conducted among patients who were treated trachyonychia between years 2017 and 2020. Patients were prescribed fluocinonide 0.05% with bifonazole 1% cream, applied with or without occlusion, and methylprednisolone 1-2 mg/nail, injected into the involved nail matrix, or oral cyclosporine 3 mg/kg. Complete response (over 90% improvement) and partial response (over 50% improvement) were assessed. Results: A total of 43 patients with trachyonychia were included [mean age 10.0 years (±5.7), 69.8% males, mean disease duration 4.7 years (±3.0)]. In 90.7% of the cases, topical fluocinonide\bifonazole cream was prescribed. Under-occlusion topical application was found to be highly effective, achieving complete response in 35.3% and partial response in an additional 52.9% of the patients. Occluded application was also found to be significantly more effective than non-occluded application. Treatment efficacy was not affected by the severity of nail roughness, trachyonychia morphology, or whether trachyonychia was idiopathic or coexisted with other dermatological conditions. Conclusion: Occluded application of fluocinonide plus bifonazole cream is efficient for the treatment of trachyonychia and should be considered a first line of treatment.

Low-dose isotretinoin versus minocycline in the treatment of rosacea.

Rosacea is a common inflammatory facial skin condition affecting the adult population. Its papulopustular subtype is mainly treated pharmacologically by topical and oral antibiotics. For severe or antibiotics-recalcitrant disease, daily low-dose isotretinoin has also been reported to be effective. However, no previous study has assessed the efficacy of once-weekly administered isotretinoin for papulopustular rosacea. For this purpose, a retrospective comparative study was conducted. For severe rosacea, 40 mg/week isotretinoin (24 patients) was administered. For mild to moderate rosacea, once-weekly 20 mg/week isotretinoin (28 patients) was compared with 100 mg/day minocycline (24 patients). Treatment courses lasted 4 to 7 months. Forty milligrams per week isotretinoin was highly effective for severe rosacea, achieving complete response (over 90% improvement) in 62.5% of patients and partial response (50%-90% improvement) in additional 29.2% of patients. Twenty milligrams per week isotretinoin and hundred milligrams per day minocycline showed comparable efficacy for mild to moderate rosacea (complete response of 10.7% vs 8.3% and partial response of 28.6% vs 33.3%, respectively). This study demonstrates that that the use of a weekly low-dose isotretinoin is an effective treatment for papulopustular rosacea, including among patients with severe disease.

Management of tinea capitis in Israel: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Tinea capitis is a common fungal infection in Israel, most commonly caused by the dermatophyte Trichophyton tonsurans. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effectiveness of oral antifungal monotherapy in producing clinical or complete cure. We also evaluated the impact of topical therapy (bifonazole 1% shampoo and/or betamethasone valerate 0.1% solution), prior to oral treatment, on patients' likelihood of clinical or complete cure. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted. Patients with mycologically confirmed tinea capitis were treated with one of four regimens: (1) terbinafine (greater than 40 kg: 250 mg/day, 20 to 40 kg: 125 mg/day, less than 20 kg: 62.5 mg/day), (2) itraconazole 5 mg/kg daily, (3) fluconazole 6 mg/kg daily, or (4) griseofulvin 20 mg/kg daily. We used generalized linear models (GLM) to determine whether there was a significant association between the odds of cure and choice of treatment. RESULTS: The causative species was Trichophyton tonsurans in all but 6 cases that grew T violaceum. For pediatric patients, the odds of having complete or clinical cure within 6 weeks was greater if they used terbinafine compared to itraconazole, fluconazole, or griseofulvin (odds ratio [OR] = 9.06, P = .047). The likelihood of complete or clinical cure within 8 weeks of oral therapy was lower if topical steroids were previously used compared to if topical antifungals were used prior to systemic treatment (OR = 0.29, P = .046). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings substantiate prior literature demonstrating that terbinafine is non-inferior to griseofulvin, itraconazole, and fluconazole in the therapy of pediatric tinea capitis caused by T tonsurans.

Cold sub-atmospheric and atmospheric pressure plasma for the treatment of Trichophyton rubrum onychomycosis: An in-vitro study.

Previous studies have suggested the applicability of cold atmospheric pressure plasma for the treatment of onychomycosis. Whether delivering cold plasma in sub-atmospheric pressure would be beneficial for this purpose is yet to be established. The current study aimed to evaluate efficacy of cold sub-atmospheric and atmospheric pressure plasma in Trichophyton rubrum growth inhibition. Bovine nails infected with T. rubrum were treated by a cold air plasma device, which enables utilizing plasma in sub-atmospheric pressures (Low = 100 millibar; High = 300 millibar) or atmospheric pressure. The infected foci were exposed to the plasma source directly or indirectly. Treatment with high sub-atmospheric pressure setting achieved T. rubrum growth reduction of 94.0% and 73.0%, for direct and indirect exposure to the plasma source, respectively (P < .001). Low sub-atmospheric pressure setting achieved similar T. rubrum growth reduction of 86.2% for direct exposure to the plasma source (P < .001), but only marginally significant 58.8% reduction rate for indirect exposure to the plasma source (P = .056). None statistically significant fungal growth reduction was attained with the use of atmospheric pressure setting. Cold plasma was shown to effectively inhibit T. rubrum nail growth, with sub-atmospheric pressure setting achieving better outcome than atmospheric pressure.

Clinical significance of Candida isolation from dystrophic fingernails.

BACKGROUND: Candida onychomycosis mostly involves fingernails. Yet, in contrast to dermatophytes, Candida isolation from dystrophic fingernails does not prove casualty, as sample contamination and non-pathogenic Candida growth occur. Characterising treatment outcome of Candida-positive dystrophic nails is crucial to avoid unnecessary treatment. OBJECTIVE: To investigate predicators associated with treatment outcome among Candida-positive dystrophic fingernails. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out among 108 adults with Candida-positive dystrophic fingernails not cured with adequate systemic anti-fungal course. Diagnosis was based on a single mycological culture. Patients with treatment failure (n = 85; 78.7% of the cases) were compared to patients with partial response (mild to almost cure; n = 23; 21.3% of the cases) at 9 to 12 months following treatment initiation. RESULTS: Treatment failure was significantly associated with primary onycholysis (odds ratio [OR] 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-7.4) and prolonged dystrophy (12.8 vs. 3.7 years in average), compared to partial treatment response. Non-responders had lower odds to present with distal lateral subungual onychomycosis, compared to partial responders (OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.1-0.7). Demographic and mycological characteristics, as well as number of nails affected, co-presence of paronychia, and treatment regime were not found to be associated with treatment response. CONCLUSION: Candida-positive primary onycholysis was shown to be non-responsive to systemic anti-fungal treatment, suggesting that anti-fungal treatment is not indicated. For other clinical scenarios, high proportions of treatment non-response suggest that determining causality of Candida should not be based on a single positive mycological culture.

Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Among Adolescents with Psoriasis: A Population-based Cross-sectional Study.

Few studies have reported an association between psoriasis and atopic comorbidity in adults. A population-based cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the possible association of psoriasis with allergic rhinitis or asthma among adolescents. Adolescents (16-18 years of age) medically evaluated for military service between 1999 and 2014 were included. Medical records were obtained from the database of the Israeli Defense Forces. Of the 887,765 adolescents studied, 3,112 patients had psoriasis (56.1% mild; 43.9% moderate-to-severe). Psoriasis was significantly associated with allergic rhinitis (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-1.5) and asthma (aOR 1.2; 95% CI 1.0-1.3), compared with controls without psoriasis. Moderate-to-severe psoriasis was associated with allergic rhinitis (aOR 1.3; 95% CI 1.1-1.5) and asthma (aOR 1.5; 95% CI 1.2-1.7), while mild psoriasis was only associated with allergic rhinitis (aOR 1.4; 95% CI 1.2-1.6). In conclusion, amongst adolescents, psoriasis was found to be associated with allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Epidemiology and Comorbidities of Psoriasis among Israeli Adolescents: A Large Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although psoriasis can develop at any age, the data regarding its characteristics in adolescents are sparse. This study was designed to determine the psoriasis prevalence and its associations with the body mass index (BMI), lipid profile, and comorbidities in adolescents. METHODS: This was a nationwide population-based cross-sectional retrospective study of adolescents (16-18 years old) evaluated for military service between January 1999 and January 2014. RESULTS: Our database included 887,765 adolescents (57.1% males), of whom 3,112 (0.35%) were diagnosed with psoriasis. During the 15-year study period, the psoriasis prevalence increased by 1.4-fold, from 0.3 to 0.42% (1.25-fold for the males and 1.63-fold for the females). Certain comorbidities, such as contact dermatitis, hyperhidrosis, and arthritis, were significantly associated with psoriasis (odds ratios [ORs] of 2.26, 1.51, and 5.3, respectively). The adolescents with psoriasis had significantly elevated BMI and triglyceride values. We found increased ORs of 1.34 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.25-1.56) and 1.56 (95% CI = 1.32-1.83) for the overweight and obese adolescents, respectively, while a lower BMI (<20) had an opposite effect with psoriasis (OR = 0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, the psoriasis prevalence in Israeli adolescents is rising. Dermatological comorbidities and an increased BMI were associated with psoriasis in these adolescents. A better understanding of the distinctive epidemiological characteristics of juvenile psoriasis may allow for the early detection of comorbidities and improve its management.

Long-term scopolamine treatment and dental caries.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether scopolamine, an anticholinergic agent which induces hyposalivation, represents a risk factor for the occurrence of dental caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out among sailors treated with scopolamine for seasickness. The study population included 370 young healthy male adults (18-30 years old) who served in the Israel Navy between 2012 and 2016. Of these, 66 subjects who were chronically treated with intermittent administration of scopolamine, either by the oral or transdermal route, were assigned to the study group. Documented subject characteristics included age, socioeconomic status, level of education, body mass index, smoking history, and dental hygiene. Follow-up lasted 1 to 3.5 years. RESULTS: Two- to 3.5-year follow-up revealed a higher risk of dental caries in 15 of 16 subjects (93.8%) treated with an average of 50.9 mg scopolamine, in contrast to only 71 of 108 control subjects (65.7%) (RR = 1.43, p = 0.02 [95% CI = 1.18-1.72]). Follow-up for 1-1.5 years revealed a lower occurrence of dental caries in both the study group (11/22, 50.0%) and the control group (46/104, 44.2%). Follow-up of 1.5-2 years also revealed less dental caries, in 16/28 subjects (57.1%) in the study group and 51/92 subjects (55.4%) in the control group. The differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy young adults, prolonged intermittent use of scopolamine was found to be a risk factor for the development of dental caries. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dental care and hygiene should be intensified when administering hyposalivatory anticholinergic agents.

Strabismus and mental disorders among Israeli adolescents.

PURPOSE: To assess the association between strabismus and mental disorders in adolescents. METHODS: This case-control study included 662,641 Israeli teenagers that underwent medical evaluation by the Israel Defense Force as part of the preconscription assessment between 2005 and 2013. The association between common mental disorders (anxiety disorder, mood disorder, adjustment disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]) and either uncorrected strabismus or corrected strabismus was examined. The association with strabismus correction was assessed by the differences between the corrected and uncorrected groups. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of the examination was 17.3 ± 0.53 years, with a male predominance (59%). A total of 1,598 subjects (0.24%) had strabismus. Of those, 952 (60%) underwent successful correction and 646 (40%) did not undergo successful correction. A significant association was found between uncorrected strabismus and anxiety disorders (OR = 1.91; 95% CI = 1.02-3.57; P = 0.047) and between corrected strabismus and ADHD (OR = 2.62; 95% CI = 1.18-5.87; P = 0.03). Strabismus correction (as assessed by comparing the uncorrected and corrected strabismus groups) was not significantly associated with the mental disorders we examined, but a nearly statistically significant association with anxiety disorder was observed (OR = 2.978; 95% CI, 1.013-8.754; P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: The evidence from our cohort suggests that strabismus correction, even in the absence of visual impairment, is not associated with mental disorders examined in this study.

Routine chlorhexidine gluconate use onboard navy surface vessels to reduce infection: A cluster randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Hand disinfection with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is commonly used for preventing the spread of infection in medical institutions and the community, but studies on its use in military settings have been inconclusive. We examined the effects of CHG on morbidity in Israeli Navy ships. METHODS: This was a controlled, cluster randomized study that took place at a major naval base in Israel. Ships were randomly selected into the study (347 sailors) and primary control (350 sailors) groups. Additional nonintervention control groups included other sailors serving on the base (n = 360) and logistics and support personnel (n = 859). CHG disinfection devices were installed on all ships in the study group, alongside soap and water. Morbidity was analyzed using a computerized patient record, subjective self-report questionnaires, and a sample of hand cultures. Compliance with hand hygiene was analyzed using a self-report hygiene attitudes questionnaire at the beginning of the trial and after 3 months. The study took place between May and September 2014. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of sick days or light-duty days or in the number of acute gastrointestinal or respiratory cases. Sailors were found to have more skin infections than controls, but this was not significantly reduced by CHG. Hand cultures demonstrated that continuous use of CHG did not cause a reduction in colonization. There were no statistically significant differences in self-reported hygiene practices. CONCLUSIONS: CHG did not demonstrate any medical benefit over the use of soap and water onboard Israeli Navy ships.

Assessment of the Risk of Fractures Because of Service on Diesel Submarines: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Submariners are known to have decreased bone mass following periods of long submersion. We examined whether this produces a higher predilection to fractures. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study. Data were collected from the computerized medical records of 457 consecutive submariners (serving 1091.42 man-years). The control group included 3,219 consecutive sailors, (serving 5845.04 man-years). Groups were stratified according to age at induction, body mass index, place of birth, and status of service (i.e., compulsory versus professional). Analysis of fracture incidence and comparison of proportions between the groups was conducted using χ(2) tests and Fisher's exact test. The hazard ratio for fractures was performed using a survival analysis regression model for each group (Cox Proportional Hazard Model). RESULTS: Nineteen submariners (4.2%) and 94 sailors (2.9%) were shown to have fractures during their service (RR = 1.42, p = 0.15). A Cox proportional hazard model was employed. No statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups (HR = 1.037, p = 0.89). No correlation was found between length of service and risk of fracture. Most fractures suffered by submariners occurred outside their work environment. CONCLUSIONS: Submariners are repeatedly exposed to prolonged submersions that are deleterious to bone strength. However, no statistically significant difference in the incidence of fractures was found between submariners and surface sailors. This is an important finding for the bone and occupational health of submariners in general.