Nickel, chromium and cobalt: the relevant allergens in allergic contact dermatitis. Comparative study between two periods: 1995-2002 and 2003-2015.

BACKGROUND: Metals are common agents of allergic contact dermatitis, occupational or not, with decreasing incidence over the last years in some countries that have regulated the amount of nickel in objects. OBJECTIVES: To analyze and compare with previous studies the profile of metal sensitization between 2003-2015. METHODS: Patients who underwent patch testing between 2003-2015 were evaluated retrospectively regarding the sensitization rates to metals, the associations between them, the relationship with profession and epidemiology. RESULTS: Of the 1,386 patients tested, 438 (32%) had positive test to some metal, similar results to the 404/1,208 (33%) of the previous study (1995-2002) performed at the same service (p=0.32). The frequency of nickel (77%), cobalt (32%) and chromium (29%) changed slightly (p=0.20). Most cases of sensitization to chromium were related to the occupation (64%), in contrast to nickel and cobalt (p<0.0001). There was a predominance of females among those sensitized to metal in both studies (p=0.63) and the age group of 20-49 years old (p=0.11); the number of fair-skinned individuals increased (p<0.001), as well as the lesions in the cephalic segment (50.5%; p<0.0001) and hands (45%; p<0.0001), which are not the most frequent location anymore. The number of cleaners decreased (39% vs. 59%; p<0.0001), which still lead in front of bricklayers/painters, which increased (14% vs. 9%; p=0.013). The frequency of wet work reduced (65% vs. 81%; p<0.0001). STUDY LIMITATIONS: The study included a single population group; only patients with positive tests to metals were considered - the others were not evaluated for the possibility of false negatives. CONCLUSION: The sensitization to metals, occupational or not, has been significant over the last 21 years, with few epidemiological changes.

Nickel, chromium and cobalt: the relevant allergens in allergic contact dermatitis. Comparative study between two periods: 1995-2002 and 2003-2015

Abstract: Background: Metals are common agents of allergic contact dermatitis, occupational or not, with decreasing incidence over the last years in some countries that have regulated the amount of nickel in objects. Objectives: To analyze and compare with previous studies the profile of metal sensitization between 2003-2015. Methods: Patients who underwent patch testing between 2003-2015 were evaluated retrospectively regarding the sensitization rates to metals, the associations between them, the relationship with profession and epidemiology. Results: Of the 1,386 patients tested, 438 (32%) had positive test to some metal, similar results to the 404/1,208 (33%) of the previous study (1995-2002) performed at the same service (p=0.32). The frequency of nickel (77%), cobalt (32%) and chromium (29%) changed slightly (p=0.20). Most cases of sensitization to chromium were related to the occupation (64%), in contrast to nickel and cobalt (p<0.0001). There was a predominance of females among those sensitized to metal in both studies (p=0.63) and the age group of 20-49 years old (p=0.11); the number of fair-skinned individuals increased (p<0.001), as well as the lesions in the cephalic segment (50.5%; p<0.0001) and hands (45%; p<0.0001), which are not the most frequent location anymore. The number of cleaners decreased (39% vs. 59%; p<0.0001), which still lead in front of bricklayers/painters, which increased (14% vs. 9%; p=0.013). The frequency of wet work reduced (65% vs. 81%; p<0.0001). Study limitations: The study included a single population group; only patients with positive tests to metals were considered - the others were not evaluated for the possibility of false negatives. Conclusion: The sensitization to metals, occupational or not, has been significant over the last 21 years, with few epidemiological changes.

An evaluation of the treatment of parapsoriasis with phototherapy.

Whether parapsoriasis represents an early stage of T-cell cutaneous lymphoma is still the subject of controversy. We evaluated the efficacy of phototherapy in the treatment of parapsoriasis and its relation with TCCL. Patients diagnosed with parapsoriasis and treated with phototherapy PUVA or UVB-NB were selected. Between 1 to 8 years following treatment the evolution of their disease was evaluated. In 62 patients the cure rate was 79.3% and 17.2% showed improvement of the lesions. Only two patients developed full blown T-cell cutaneous lymphoma. Phototherapy is an excellent treatment for parapsoriasis, with high cure rates, regardless of the type of phototherapy employed. Of the 62 patients under study, parapsoriasis showed no general tendency to progress to T-cell cutaneous lymphoma.

Testicular metastases: a poor prognostic factor in patients with advanced prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed neoplasm in men. In some patients, however, the disease pursues a clearly more aggressive course. Testicular metastases from prostate cancer are rare events that have been previously reported; however, its frequency and clinical meaning are not well established. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to evaluate its occurrence and clinical meaning. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A review of patients who underwent androgen deprivation orchidectomy for prostate cancer between 1995 and 2007 was undertaken. On the period evaluated, 1,693 orchidectomies were performed at our institution. Since, the population of patients treated at our institution does not have access to the expensive androgen-deprivation drugs, the vast majority is treated through surgical castration. In such context, evaluation of testicular parenchyma of patients with advanced prostate cancer could be assessed. Clinical and histological data were reviewed, and patients with testicular metastases were identified. RESULTS: Of the 1,693 orchidectomies performed during the period analysed, three cases of testicular metastases of prostate cancer (range 58-76 years) were diagnosed (0.18%). All patients had very atypical neoplasm's behaviour and poor prognosis, dying within the first year. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, testicular metastases from prostate cancer are a rare event, observed in 1.8 per 1,000 cases. As other visceral metastases, testicular metastases might also be considered as an unusual additional factor of poor prognosis.